The purpose of the proposed study is to investigate ion-implantation of boron, carbon, and nitrogen into pure iron and several steels with simple metallurgical structures. The proposed research is a cooperative/interdisciplinary program between Professor Wilbur at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University (CSU), and Professor Williamson at the Department of Physics, Colorado School of Mines (CSM), MSM-8704488. Ion-implantation will be done with a unique facility at CSU, where the tribological testing will also be carried out. The primary microstructural characterization of the surface before and after wear testing will be done at CSM in a non- destructive manner with Mossbauer spectroscopy. The general goal is to develop an improved understanding of the effect of ion implantation on wear reduction. The outcome of this collaborative research should have a significant impact on tribology.
