ION-BEAM PROCESSING, MICROSTRUCTURE AND TRIBOLOGY OF FE-TI-C LAYERS

Different processing routes can be used to produce Fe-Ti-C surfaces fo r tribological purposes. In this paper we focus on the utilization of ion beam mixing, or ion beam mixing combined with ion implantation. It turns out that a microstructural evolution varies accordingly but can be understood qualitatively on the basis of thermodynamic driving for ces and kinetics. The relationship between microstructure, hardness, a nd tribological characteristics is complex, and enhanced tribological performance is found with several different combinations of extremely small embedded titanium carbide (TiC) embedded in an amorphous Fe-Ti-C matrix.