Effects of nitrogen ion implantation on the mechanical properties of laser-deposited thin films of TiC and TiN on stainless steel

Abstract

Thin films of TiC and TiN were deposited on type 304 stainless steel substrates using the pulsed-laser-induced physical vapour deposition technique. The films were irradiated with 100 keV nitrogen ions at various fluences. The structural differences between the as-deposited and nitrogen-ion-implanted samples were studied by small-angle X-ray diffraction. The surface hardness of the films was measured using the Vickers microhardness measurement technique. The wear characteristics of the samples were studied using a pin-on-disc wear-testing machine. Nitrogen ion implantation in the laser-deposited TiC and TiN was shown to improve the friction pin-on-disc wear-testing machine. Nitrogen ion implantation in the laser-deposited TiC and TiN was shown to improve the friction coefficient as well as the wear resistance of the stainless steel surface. Observations of scanning electron micrographs of the samples were used to confirm the better adhesion and the increase in the wear resistance of the nitrogen-implanted films compared with the as-deposited films.