Corrosion resistance and microstructure of nitrogen plasma source ion implanted bearing steel

摘要

Summary form only given. The feasibility of plasma source ion implantation (PSII) treatments for metal corrosion protection of bearing steel (52100) in humid environments has been investigated, following successful results with aluminum alloy (6061). The bearing steel coupons have been treated by nitrogen PSII with a statistically designed range of processing conditions, including stage bias implant voltage, and dose. The corrosion properties of the implanted samples were tested using aerated distilled water (72, 168, and 720 hours), 90/spl deg/F, 90% RH air (24, 120, 816, and 1464 hours), and a nitric acid soak. The results are compared favorably with 440C stainless steel, and 52100 steel with nitrogen and argon recoil-implanted chromium. Evidence is seen for an optimal process contour (low voltage-high dose; high voltage-low dose). Results from microstructure analysis are also presented.