SURFACE STRESSES IN ION-IMPLANTED STEEL.

Abstract

Recent work on ion-implanted metals has demonstrated the existence of substantial changes in friction and wear properties brought about by ion implantation. The effects have been attributed to corrosion inhibition, metallurigical transformation, or mechanical surface hardening. A capacitance probe apparatus is described which has been used to detect the deflection occurring during ion implantation of thin specimens of annealed steel. The deflection is related to the introduction of a surface compressive stress. 100-keV argon ion implantation is found to produce surface stresses of several thousand lbs/in. The results are interpreted with reference to damage mechanisms and nitride formation, and are discussed in relation to the mechanical property changes.