Theoretical concept for the prediction of the extension of the lifetime of ion-implanted tools from short-time measurements

Abstract In order to examine the technical and economical usefulness of surface modifications by ion implantation, knowledge of the attainable extension of the lifetime of tools etc. is of primary importance. To predict lifetime extensions from short-time measurements a normalized graph has been developed which can be used if the thickness of the surface layer in which the reduction of wear by an ion implantation treatment is effective is known and if the lifetime of an untreated tool can be defined by the maximum of the total wear which is tolerable. Inserting published data on the wear-reducing effect of surface modifications by ion implantation into the normalized graph, lifetime extensions by a factor of 2–10 result in many cases in accordance with practical experience which already exists. The problem of evaluating quantitatively the wear-reducing effect of an ion implantation treatment under the tribotechnical stresses which determine the wear behaviour in the actual application will be discussed. The severe wear conditions of many experiments with pin-on-disk apparatus and similar test devices can easily result in misleading estimates of the application potential of ion implantation techniques.