Effect of Ti+N and Zr+N ions implantation on mechanical and corrosion performance of carburized layer

Highlights: • Nano-ceramic phase was obtained by Ti+N and Zr+N ions implanted and carburized. • Ti+N ions implantation layer expresses better nanomechanical property. • Zr+N ions implantation layer owned superior tribology and corrosion properties. • Corrosion form of Ti+N and Zr+N ions implantation layers are local corrosion. -- Abstract: Ti+N and Zr+N ions were implanted into the carburized AISI 9310 layer to improve surface properties. The microstructure, nanomechanics, tribology and corrosion properties were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, glancing incidence X-ray diffraction, nanoindentation, tribology analysis and corrosion test. The results showed that there were a large number of dense metal (Ti or Zr) ceramic phases with ultrahigh nanomechanical property and wear resistance in Ti+N and Zr+N ions implantation layers. Simultaneously, the corrosion type of the carburized layer changed from general corrosion to the localized and pitting corrosion after Ti+N and Zr+N ions implantation. Due to favorable corrosion resistance of the ceramic phases, the corrosion property of Ti+N and Zr+N ions implantation layers have been improved significantly. Comparing with these two ions implantation (Ti+N and Zr+N) layers, the Ti+N ions implantation layer exhibited better nanomechanical property, while the Zr+N ions implantation layer displayed superior tribology and corrosion properties attributed to element composition and new phase structure.