Enhancement of surface properties of AISI 8620 by plasma immersion ion implantation

In this study, AISI 8620 steel samples were implanted with nitrogen using plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) at 320, 380 or 450°C. In addition, PIII was used for simultaneous implantation of carbon and nitrogen into the steel at 380 or 450°C. Treated and untreated samples were studied by wear friction testing, microhardness measurement, atomic force microscopy, SEM study and glancing angle X-ray diffraction diagnosis. Experimental results indicated that the friction coefficient increased after PIII treatment and wear reduced by a factor of 4–60 for PIII treatment with pure nitrogen, although carbon + nitrogen coimplantation increased the wear rate.