Study on tribological behaviors of Fe+ ion implanted in 2024 aluminum alloy

2024 aluminum alloy was implanted with Fe+ ions at a dose of 7 x 10(16)-3 x 10(17) Fe+/cm(2). The depth profile of Fe element was investigated by Auge r electron spectroscopy (AES). The composition of the surface layer was inv estigated by XRD with sample-tilting diffraction (STD) mode. The worn out s urface was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Micro-hardness, friction and wear properties have been studied before and after Fe+ implant ation. An AES analysis shows Fe display Gaussian shape distributions. STD s hows Al5Fe2 formed during the implantation. Micro-hardness of surface layer was reduced after implantation, but it did not simply decrease with the in creasing implantation doses. The friction and wear tests of implanted and u nimplanted samples were carried out on a statio dynamic friction precise me asuring apparatus. After implantation, the friction coefficient was reduced from 0.7 to 0.1; the wear resistance was improved remarkably, but decrease d with increasing implantation dose. The wear mechanism of the unimplanted sample was adhesive wear, abrasive wear and plastic deformation. The wear r educing effect of Fe+ ion induced on 2024 aluminum alloy is mainly attribut ed to tribooxidation of iron and transfixion of line defect. These two fact ors prevent the adhesive wear, abrasive wear and plastic deformation of 202 4 aluminum alloy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.