SPRINT RA-372 INCREASING EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL AWARENESS OF ION-IMPLANTATION AS AN EFFECTIVE SURFACE-TREATMENT

This paper reports on an initiative, funded in part by the European Un ion, to increase the level of awareness and use of ion implantation as an effective surface treatment, principally for tooling applications. A consortium comprising AIN (Spain), DTI (Denmark) and Imperial Colle ge (UK) was formed in 1991 and awarded a SPRlNT (Specific PRojects for INtracommunity innovation Transfers) grant by the EU. Since then, the grant has been renewed twice, and has had a significant impact within the participating partners' countries. The project aims, by way of ma ilings, meetings, demonstrations, and seminars, together with a specia lly produced video and handbook of applications, to stimulate awarenes s within industry, with a view to increasing the use of ion-implanted tooling and the concomitant benefits of the technique. During the proj ect, a preliminary letter and questionnaire were sent to a total of mo re than 7000 companies, selected on the basis of industrial sectors, i ncluding users of machine tools, plastic moulds, paper and textiles kn ives, etc. Emphasis was placed on tooling rather than components. The level of use and awareness was evaluated from the 5% response to the i nitial questionnaire, and these data were used to refine the targeting of subsequent mailings and contacts. In addition to the well-establis hed niche applications, new areas are becoming apparent, including tex tiles and paper processing, machine tools for cutting composite and la minated materials, and stamping tools for sheet metal. Care was taken to emphasise that ion implantation is one technique amongst many, and comparisons were offered with techniques such as PVD, CVD and traditio nal surface modifications, recommending implantation in cases where it has distinct advantages over other techniques. As a direct result of this project, the level of awareness and commercial acceptance of the technique has increased within the participating countries, and it has been possible to identify possible new sectors. In addition, because the emphasis has been upon solving problems rather than applying one s pecific technology, the project has helped to emphasise the specific a dvantages of the technique, and has been positive in overcoming commer cial reluctance, while avoiding competition with other treatments.