The Effect of Carbon and Boron on the Friction Behavior of Ti-Implanted 52100 Bearing Steel at Low Sliding Speeds

摘要

The low speed friction behavior of Ti implanted AISI 52100 bearing steel (1.5% Cr, 1% C by weight) may be altered by varying the concentration and distribuition of the titanium and carbon present in the surface. With the aid of carbon which is either directly implanted or gettered during the implantation process, wear resistant, low friction surfaces may be produced. By assuring a sufficient supply of carbon, the Ti dosage required to produce a wear resistant surface may be reduced by more than 50%. Transmission electron microscopy of dual implants of carbon and titanium each at a dose of 2 x 10 to the 17th power showed that the surface was still crystalline and typical for a martensitic material. In contrast, friction testing of samples implanted with titanium and boron, another interstitial species forming wear resistant species (i.e., TiB2)), did not produce surfaces which were wear resistant nor substantially reduce the friction. Auger analysis in conjunction with ion milling was used to compare compositions of implanted surfaces.