Tribological properties of ion implanted Aluminum alloys

Ion implantation of Aluminum is a useful technique to improve hardness and tribological properties. This paper reports on a comparative study of modif ications produced by Nitrogen implantations on three different Al commercia l alloys. Different Nitrogen doses have been implanted, hardness and wear t ests have been carried out to investigate the influence of implantation par ameters. Tribological changes are referred to implantation dose and to ther mal post-treatments, as well as to testing conditions. Applications are rel evant in aeronautical and moulding sectors. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.