A STUDY OF THE INHIBITIVE EFFECT OF MO ON THE TEMPER SOFTENING OF BEARING SURFACES CAUSED BY ION-IMPLANTATION

Bearing steels are very sensitive to temper. The actual strengthening effect of ion implantation is dependent on competition between the adu lterated strengthening and implantation tempering on the bearing surfa ce. In this study, the adulterated strengthening and implantation temp ering of large dose N+ implantation and the inhibitive effect of Mo on implantation tempering were investigated using Auger electron spectro scopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spe ctrometry, X-ray diffraction, friction and wear testing, contact fatig ue testing, etc. The results indicate that overlapping implantation of Mo+ and N+ is an effective method for strengthening the bearing surfa ce. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.