Surface composition and microhardness study of 11B+ implanted aluminium

Surface modification of 11B+ implanted aluminium, having strainfree surface was studied. The energy of the boron ion was 130 keV with a dose of 2.5x1017 ion cm-2. Ion-implantation increases the near surface hardness and wear resistance of metals but little is known as to how such a shallow layer can affect microhardening. A full understanding of the process involved is yet to emerge. AES and XPS were used to characterise the implanted layer. The microhardness increased by ∼50% in the 11B+ ion implanted sample. The increase in near surface hardness with the compound formation in the implanted layer is discussed. (author). 3 figs., 1 tab., 8 refs