Surface property improvement in titanium alloy gas turbine components through ion implantation

The feasibility of applying ion implantation to produce substantial improvement in the wear/fretting fatigue resistance of titanium alloys used as gas turbine fan and compressor blade material has been studied. Detailed microscopy and mechanical test results have been used to analyze the various mechanisms contributing to wear and fretting fatigue damage in titanium alloys at room and elevated temperatures. The manner in which ion implantation might modify the normal wear/fretting fatigue response of these alloys is discussed in detail, along with the factors to be considered in choosing optimum ion implantation parameters