Nano-indentation testing for plasma-based ion-implanted surface of plastics

We have developed a technique to modify the surface of plastics to improve the hardness. Carbon ions were implanted with 20 and 10 keV energy into the plastic surface using the conventional ion-implantation and the plasma-bas ed ion-implantation methods. The modified surface was loaded to 1 mN and un loaded using the diamond tip of the nano-indentation equipment. We found th at the deformation of the modified surface was elastic deformation. Accordi ng to the surface Young's modulus FEM simulation of plastics, surface Young 's modulus was improved from 1.8 to 25 GPa using the plasma-based ion-impla ntation process. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.