Tribological behavior of aluminum alloys surface layer implanted with nitrogen ions by plasma immersion ion implantation

Some 2014 and 2024 aluminum alloys were implanted with nitrogen ions (N+) b y Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (Pm), and dose range was from 2 x 10(17 ) to 1 x 10(18) N+ cm(-2). The microstructure of surface layer was studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The depth profile of the implant ed layer was investigated by Anger Electron Spectrometry (AES). The wear te st was carried on a pin-on-disk wear tester. The micro-morphology of wear w as observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results reveal that: after implanted with nitrogen ions, the friction coefficient of surface la yer decreased, and the relative wear resistance increased with the increase of the nitrogen dose. The tribological mechanism was mainly adhesive, and the adhesive wear tended to become weaker gradually with the increase of ni trogen dose. The upper two effects were mainly attributed to the formation of hard AlN precipitation and supersaturated solid solution of nitrogen in the surface layer. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights r eserved.