Microstructural study of nitrogen-implanted Ti-6Al-4V alloy

A comprehensive study of the microstructural effects of nitrogen ion implantation on Ti-6Al-4V alloy has been carried out. The work was promoted by the fact that the corrosive wear resistance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy in an environment similar to that encountered in medical applications can be considerably improved by nitrogen ion implantation using the plasma source ion implantation technique. The alloy was implanted with 50 keV nitrogen ions to different doses ranging from 9x1020 to 1x1022 atoms/m2. Composition distribution within the implanted region was characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy. Microstructural studies were based on transmission electron microscopy. Better understanding of the wear/corrosion properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. (orig.)