Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
Dry sliding friction tests and relative abrasive wear measurements were used to investigate the effects of ion implantation on the tribology of a centrifugally cast Co-Cr-W-C alloy. Titanium implantation was found to significantly reduce the friction and wear of the alloy. Auger spectroscopy showed that vacuum carburization of the surface occurred during Ti implantation. Similar Ti and C profiles were seen in both carbide and (Co-rich) matrix phases. The abrasive wear resistance of the alloy decreased as a result of N-implantation. Nitrogen implantation did not reduce the friction during dry sliding, however, a change in the wear mode was observed.