Friction modification of WC-Co by ion implantation

This study focuses on the effects of ion implantation on the friction modification of WC-Co cermet. Samples were implanted with Ar, C, N, O and B ions at 120–140 keV, and underwent tribological tests, mainly within the elastic region, against the cermet itself using varied loads. The experimental results show that the C ion implantation most significantly reduces the friction coefficient, and that the effect increases with the ion dose, whereas N, O and B ion implantations increase microhardness. A modified friction model suggests that the contributors to the friction modification are attributed to the compromise between microhardness and toughness, depending on the microstructure or phase and the ion-implantation-induced surface compression stress, which depends on the ion size.