Friction modification of WC-Co by ion implantation

This study focuses on the effects of ion implantation on the friction modif ication of WC-Co cermet. Samples were implanted with Ar, C, N, O and B ions at 120-140 keV, and underwent tribological tests, mainly within the elasti c region, against the cermet itself using varied loads. The experimental re sults show that the C ion implantation most significantly reduces the frict ion coefficient, and that the effect increases with the ion dose, whereas N , O and B ion implantations increase microhardness. A modified friction mod el suggests that the contributors to the friction modification are attribut ed to the compromise between microhardness and toughness, depending on the microstructure or phase and the ion-implantation-induced surface compressio n stress, which depends on the ion size. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Sci ence S.A. All rights reserved.