NITRIDE ION-BEAM MIXING OF PISTON RINGS FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE DIESEL-ENGINE

Direct ion implantation and ion beam mixing surface treatment processe s are being explored to enhance the friction and wear characteristics of piston rings for the adiabatic diesel engine. Bench test results to temperatures of 540 degrees C indicate that titanium nitride and chro me nitride ion beam mixing of M2 steel produces superior friction and wear properties compared to traditional plasma-sprayed chrome oxide an d chrome carbide coatings. Friction was reduced by a factor of two and wear was reduced by a factor of 20.