Application of ion implantation to improve the wear resistance of 52100 bearing steel

Bearings fabricated from 52100 steel are susceptible to adhesive wear which results in reduced performance of arrospace system components. To improve the wear resistance of 52100 steel, implantation of titanium ions was performed. Ion- implanted surfaces were characterized by electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy.Wear tests, using the load-friction-wear technique, showed a 24% decrease in the breakaway coefficient of friction and an 11% decrease in the saturated value for titanium-implanted specimens as well as a modification of the adhesive wear behavior.