Long-Range Effect in Ion-Implanted Titanium Alloys

Surface modification of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) by nitrogen ion implantation and ion beam-assisted deposition (C, N) was investigated. The depth distribution of implanted nitrogen atoms was analysed using the Rutherford backscattering technique. Nitrogen implantation reduces the coefficient of friction and wear. A better effect can be obtained when nitrogen implantation is combined with carbon deposition. Based on the changes in the coefficients of friction and wear as well as profilograms of wear tracks, the improvement of the tribological properties was found at a depth exceeding nearly 5 times the range of the implanted nitrogen ions. Identification of the long-range effect for Ti6Al4V alloy was performed on the basis of tribological analyses. This study is a continuation of research conducted for AISI 316L and H11 steel.