STRENGTH AND TRIBOLOGY OF BULK AND ELECTROFORMED NICKEL AMORPHIZED BYIMPLANTATION OF TITANIUM AND CARBON

Dual ion implantation of titanium and carbon was shown to produce an a morphous layer of exceptional strength within annealed bulk Ni and als o within electroformed Ni and Ni,,Fe,, materials used in micro-electro mechanical systems. The intrinsic elastic and plastic mechanical prope rties of the implanted region were quantified using nanoindentation te sting in conjunction with finite-element modeling, and the results wer e interpreted in the light of microstructures observed by transmission electron microscopy. The implantation treatment was found to produce substantial reductions in unlubricated friction and wear. (C) 1998 Els evier Science S.A.