Tribological behavior of aluminum alloys surface layer implanted with nitrogen ions by plasma immersion ion implantation

Some 2014 and 2024 aluminum alloys were implanted with nitrogen ions (N⁺) by Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII), and dose range was from 2×10¹⁷ to 1×10¹⁸ N⁺ cm⁻². The microstructure of surface layer was studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The depth profile of the implanted layer was investigated by Auger Electron Spectrometry (AES). The wear test was carried on a pin-on-disk wear tester. The micro-morphology of wear was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results reveal that: after implanted with nitrogen ions, the friction coefficient of surface layer decreased, and the relative wear resistance increased with the increase of the nitrogen dose. The tribological mechanism was mainly adhesive, and the adhesive wear tended to become weaker gradually with the increase of nitrogen dose. The upper two effects were mainly attributed to the formation of hard AlN precipitation and supersaturated solid solution of nitrogen in the surface layer.