Evolution of mechanical properties in tool steel implanted with high energy nitrogen ions

In this paper the authors studied the influence of energy of implanted nitr ogen ions N+ on the value of the friction coefficient and wear of tool stee l NC10. Measurements were performed for a wide energy range of ions: 60, 12 0 and (1000-2000) keV. At a high implantation energy changes of tribologica l properties in the surface layer up to 0.5 mum thick were largely connecte d with defects. Annealing deeply implanted samples did not, as shown by CEM S measurements, lead to formation of nitrogen compounds in the surface laye r less than or equal to 0.1 mum thick. It neither resulted in improvement o f the tribological properties. The best results with regard to improved tri bological properties were obtained at 120keV implantation energy. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.