Impact of Nitrogen and Manganese Ion Implantation on the Tribological Properties of Stellite 6 Alloy

This paper presents the results of a study investigating the tribological properties of Stellite 6 alloy following the implantation of nitrogen ions at 120 keV and of manganese ions at 175 keV. The results demonstrate that the coefficient of friction and wear of the nitrogen implanted samples are several times lower until the modified layer is worn. The thickness of this layer depends on the ion beam energy and ion fluence, and it increases as the nitrogen ion fluence is increased. Following the implantation with a fluence of 1 x 10(17) N+/cm(2), the thickness of the layer is about 1.0 (1) mu m exceeding the range of implanted nitrogen ions by four times. This phenomenon is known as the long-range effect. It is associated with the diffusion of nitrogen atoms into the area of friction. It is also assumed that this effect is caused by the displacement of radiation damage deep into the material. However, the long-range effect practically does not occur when the very same material is implanted with same fluence of manganese ions. It is the first case ever to demonstrate that the long-range effect in a target material depends on the type of implanted species and is not only caused by implantation damage.