Tribological Properties of Ion-Implanted 52100 Steel

• Published in: ASLE transactions 1983-01, Vol.26 (4), p.466-474
• Main Authors: Fischer, T. E., Luton, M. J., Williams, J. M., White, C. W., Appleton, B. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Friction, wear, lubrication; Machine components; Mechanical engineering. Machine design
• ISSN: 0569-8197; 2375-1444
• DOI: 10.1080/05698198308981527

Titanium, argon, nitrogen, and iron were implanted in separate strips on a ferritic AISI E52100 cylinder. Three implant energies were chosen to obtain a continuous distribution from the surface to a depth of 120 nm and total doses were 4.10 17 ions cm −2 . The friction coefficient and wear track topography were measured by sliding against a martensitic AISI 52100 steel ball in air, in a fully formulated lubricant and in highly purified hexadecane. In dry sliding, titanium reduced the friction coefficient to 0.32 and suppressed the near-surface cracking, [in agreement with previous work at Harwell and Naval Research Labs]. In hexadecane, titanium reduced the friction coefficient to 0.22, iron and nitrogen increased, it to 0.7 from 0.55, and all implants decreased wear. In the fully formulated lubricant, only the break-in pattern was modified. Auger measurements showed that carbon penetrated the material with all implants, creating TiC in the Ti-implanted strip and probably strengthening the other implanted areas by carbide precipitates and compressive stresses. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASME/ASLE Lubrication Conference in Washington, D.C., October 5-7, 1982