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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Property of 316L Stainless Steel Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion

The advanced non-light water reactor designs (Gen IV reactors), including molten salt/ very high temperature/ sodium-cooled and lead-cooled fast reactors, typically operate at higher temperatures and more extreme radiation conditions than light water reactors. An intrinsic part of the deployment and progress of Gen IV reactor designs is selecting the most suitable structural material for a specific application. Additive manufacturing (AM), a fairly new process of making physical, three-dimensional objects from a computer design file, is going to completely change the way of design, build and certify nuclear systems. It offers a range of opportunities to produce complex geometries from existing materials, offers new routes for processing of previously difficult to process materials, allows for design of new high-performance materials, and finally facilitates hybridization of dissimilar materials. This emerging technology has successfully produced cars, wind turbine blade molds and even live cells. It could also open up big opportunities for the nuclear industry to quickly deploy technologies at a fraction of the cost. So far, AM techniques have been preliminarily applied in the field of nuclear reactors, including the classical parts such as the pressure vessel of a small reactor with 508-III steel, the bottom nozzle of a fuel assembly with 304L steel, the fuel cladding with zirconium alloy and the integrated impeller of a pump and the multi-channel valve body with 316L steel [6,7]. The AM applications for operating nuclear reactors started in auxiliary plant components and have slowly migrated to metallic reactors and core components, but many of these are not safety critical components. Although many parts used for nuclear reactors have been fabricated by AM techniques, practical applications in engineering are still a long way off due to the uncertainty factors focused on the processing, material properties, analysis methods and application standards, which feeds the safety and life-cycle of the nuclear reactor. Due to rapid, repeated heating and cooling during production, a high dislocation density was present in the AM material. This microstructure feature is unstable at elevated temperature while high temperature is one of the typical operation environments for nuclear reactors. Thus, it is important to understand the thermal effect on the microstructure of AM material. The objectives of this study are to investigate the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel produced by laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing, and to determine an appropriate heat treatment practice that will be applied to the lightweight AM lattice-structured material with the same chemistry. The heat treatment study consisted of annealing the samples at a temperature range of 800 to 1200 oC with a 50 oC increment for different times (1-24 hours), followed by vacuum or air cooling. Microstructural characterization was carried out by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Grain size and crystallographic orientation were investigated by Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). Vickers hardness tests with a 0.5 kg load were employed to determine the hardness of samples after different heat treatments. After heat treatment, the random crystallographic orientation was preserved, and the volume fraction of high-angle grain boundaries (grain boundary misorientation =15 oC) remained the same. The dislocation density decreased with annealing temperature due to recovery. The fine subgrain structures in the as-printed specimen were quite stable up to 1200 oC. Minimal recrystallization was observed up to 1200 oC. Recrystallization initiated only after 8.5 hours at 1200 oC. The SEM images did not show obvious dependence of microstructure on cooling rate. The hardness of the specimens decreased with increasing annealing temperature as a result of the decrease in dislocation density. It is interesting to note that the AM material showed very similar hardness to the wrought material when annealing at similar temperature, although the microstructures are very different. Annealing at 1050 oC for 1 hour followed by air cooling was selected as the heat treatment procedure for the lattice designed lightweight AM 316L material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Dynamic compression and spallation behavior of NbTaTiVZr high-entropy alloy

High-entropy alloys are a new class of materials with promising properties for aerospace and defense applications. The unique behavior of these materials is driven by the complex interactions between dissimilar atoms in a crystal and requires combined theoretical and experimental efforts to unlock their full potential. Here, we evaluate the relationship between the microstructure and the dynamic response of the equiatomic NbTaTiVZr alloy. Specifically, the shock Hugoniot, or equation of state, was measured up to a particle velocity of 0.5 mm μs −1 using gas gun plate impacts. Shock wave profile and incipient spallation experiments were used to characterize wave propagation and damage formation with post-mortem recovery experiments. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm the experimental findings and extend them up to 2.1 mm μs −1 particle velocity. Computational thermodynamic calculation of phase diagram simulations explain details of the material microstructure, which explains the measured strength and experimental damage patterns. Overall, this work provides detailed high-strain-rate characterization of a refractory high-entropy alloy, and more importantly, a framework and demonstration of the utility and necessity of a combined theoretical and experimental approach, outlining the importance of considering processing and manufacturing conditions when evaluating the performance of new materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dynamic and quasi-static strength of additively repaired aluminum

Additive manufacturing has the potential to repair high value components, saving significant time and resources; however, the level of reliability and performance of additive repairs is still relatively unknown. In this work, the structure–property and performance of laser wire additive manufacturing repairs in 1100 aluminum are investigated. Two types of intentional damage are inflicted on the samples and subsequently repaired with pulsed laser deposition additive manufacturing. Quasi-static (10 –3 s –1 ) and high strain-rate (10 –3 s –1 ) mechanical testing is carried out with in situ diagnostics and post-mortem imaging. The results show that while the quasi-static strength and ductility of samples with a repaired region are lower than a pristine sample, the dynamic strength under shock loading is comparable. This work highlights both the potential utility of additive manufacturing for repair purposes, the significant risk of compromised performance of additive parts under specific conditions, and the need to test at varying strain rates to fully characterize material performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Advanced Interactive 3D Visualization Tool for Customizable Analyses of Tomography Datasets in Material Science

Current methods for visualizing and analyzing 3D tomography datasets in materials science often lack the interactivity and depth required for detailed structural insights. This limitation restricts a researchers' ability to accurately interpret complex data, which is critical for advancing material innovations and understanding structural properties. To address this issue, we have developed a novel, web-based interactive 3D visualization and analysis tool from the Trame framework that offers customizable features to enhance data interpretability. The tool allows users to adjust parameters such as visible range, slice planes, data rotation, and layering, providing a more detailed and dynamic view of complex structures. Its user-friendly web interface increases the accessibility and ease of use for both novice and experienced researchers, to visualize large volumetric datasets. The tool supports a diverse range of data formats, making it versatile for various research applications. Unique capabilities include real-time data manipulation, automated feature detection, context-sensitive feedback, and real-time volume calculations and distributions per sliced region or layer, alongside the ability to quickly generate high-quality screenshots and videos for presentations and reports. These advancements offer a comprehensive solution for enhanced 3D data exploration, significantly improving the analysis process and communication of results in materials science.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Methods development towards automated, physics-informed, quantitative quality control of TRISO-SiC

Tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles have been developed as a high-performance fuel for use in high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) systems due to their high efficiency and stability under both normal and off-normal conditions. Broader deployment of this technology in advanced nuclear applications may benefit from quantitative quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) methods that directly link TRISO properties to downstream performance. A key TRISO property is the SiC layer microstructure, which influences fission product retention during irradiation. However, existing QA/QC for the TRISO-SiC microstructure comprises only a qualitative visual inspection; therefore, there is a clear opportunity for the development of quantitative methods for TRISO QA/QC. Here, to this end, previous work has demonstrated an image processing approach to grain boundary (GB) identification and subsequent extraction of microstructural metrics; however, extensive twinning within the SiC layer complicates such analyses because twin GBs significantly influence microstructural metrics but are not expected to contribute to fission product transport. This study presents the initial development, training, and testing of an ML-based image segmentation algorithm designed to identify and remove twin GBs from standard backscattered electron micrographs, providing an industrially applicable, quantitative, and physically meaningful QA/QC approach for the TRISO-SiC microstructure. Although pixel-wise performance metrics for the twin predictions are low, the change in grain area and the number of GB pixels after twin removal predicted by the ML workflow are within 1% of the true values calculated using crystallographic data. This suggests that the model is well capable of predicting overall twin boundary structures and grain morphology, and continued advancement of this approach could enable automated, scalable, and physics-informed QA/QC for TRISO-SiC microstructures, supporting the reliable qualification of coated particle fuels for next-generation reactor systems.

Computer vision↗
DOE OSTI2024

Role of microstructure on flux expulsion of superconducting radio frequency cavities

The trapped residual magnetic flux during the cool-down due to the incomplete Meissner state is a significant source of radio frequency losses in superconducting radio frequency cavities. Here, in this study, we clearly correlate the niobium microstructure in elliptical cavity geometry and flux expulsion behavior. In particular, a traditionally fabricated Nb cavity half-cell from an annealed poly-crystalline Nb sheet after an 800 °C heat treatment leads to a bi-modal microstructure that ties in with flux trapping and inefficient flux expulsion. This non-uniform microstructure is related to varying strain profiles along the cavity shape. A novel approach to prevent this non-uniform microstructure is presented by fabricating a 1.3 GHz single cell Nb cavity with a cold-worked sheet and subsequent heat treatment leading to better flux expulsion after 800 °C/3 h. Microstructural evolution by electron backscattered diffraction-orientation imaging microscopy on cavity cutouts, and flux pinning behavior by dc-magnetization on coupon samples confirms a reduction in flux pinning centers with increased heat treatment temperature. The heat treatment temperature-dependent mechanical properties and thermal conductivity are reported. The significant impact of cold work in this study demonstrates clear evidence for the importance of the microstructure required for high-performance superconducting cavities with reduced losses caused by magnetic flux trapping.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

High-Speed and High-Quality Field Welding Repair Based on Advanced Non-Destructive Evaluation and Numerical Modeling

Creep strength-enhanced ferritic (CSEF) steels such as Grade 91 (9Cr-1Mo-V) and Grade 92 (Fe-9Cr-2W-0.5Mo) steels are widely used in the fossil-fuel-fired and nuclear power plants. The weld integrity of these steels is crucial for power plants' safe and reliable operations. Due to harsh service conditions, the steel weld can become susceptible to environmental degradation. Field welding repair is used to restore the degraded weld’s performance where a controlled temper-bead welding technique is commonly used to temper the freshly formed martensite during welding. However, knowledge of weld repairability is limited and experimental trial and error optimization to achieve desired microstructure and joint properties is expensive and time-consuming. Many existing computational models, e.g., finite element models, are limited to solving heat conduction equation and ignoring convective heat transfer due to molten metal flow. These models can result in over-prediction of peak temperatures of weld pool and heat-affected zone (HAZ), which in turn can affect the accuracy of tempering prediction. Moreover, these finite element models require an input of the deposit profiles in advance and thus limits the usability of these models. Here, a molten pool-based, multi-pass multi-layer model has been developed based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach with the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method. The model calculates the bead formation, thereby eliminating the need for pre-determined bead profiles required by finite element models. For computational efficiency, a coordinate system attached to the moving heat source is utilized. A subroutine is developed to convert the temperature profiles in the reference frame stationary to the heat source to that stationary to the workpiece. The converted thermal cycles are then imported into a microstructure model to compute the tempering kinetics and resultant hardness using a Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK), and modified Grange-Baughman parameter. The modeling approach is first developed and validated on single- and multi-pass deposition of stainless steel filler metal onto a SA-533 high strength steel substrate. The models are then applied to a multi-pass V-groove repair weld of Grade 91 steel plate as well as directed energy deposition of Grade 92 steel. Non-destructive characterization of microstructures was performed on Grade 91 and 92 steel welds. Two welding processes, cold metal transfer (CMT) and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), were investigated for the Grade 91 steel weld samples. For the Grade 92 weld samples, three different heat inputs (low, medium, and high) of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) were utilized to replicate traditional field welding processes. The non-destructive evaluation (NDE) method used for this research was immersion ultrasonic testing (UT) using a micro-resolution ultrasonic imaging methodology specifically designed to operate in the through-transmission configuration operating at 20 MHz of frequency. The system used a focused ultrasonic beam spot size diameter between 250-300 μm, and a 6 μm laser vibrometer spot size for detection, to produce highly defined images with longitudinal and mode-converted shear waves. From the micro-resolution ultrasonic C-scan images, three microstructural regions, i.e., weld metal (WM), HAZ, and base metal (BM), were clearly identifiable. Various levels of ultrasonic amplitudes distributed over the three regions were correlated with electron beam backscattered diffraction (EBSD) images using grain size, grain boundaries, and dislocation densities. The results showed that areas with relatively higher ultrasonic amplitude levels were associated with smaller grains and higher dislocation densities, while areas with lower amplitude levels were associated with larger grains and lower dislocation densities. In addition, ultrasonic velocity data obtained across the three different weld microstructural regions of Grade 91 test samples were correlated with optical metallographic images and hardness measurements. The results showed distinctive decreases in ultrasonic velocity and hardness over the HAZ region, where weld failures often occur during service.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2007

Investigation of Synthetic Mg(1.3)V(1.7)O4 Spinel with MgO Inclusions: Case Study of a Spinel with an Apparently occupied Interstitial Site

A magnesium vanadate spinel crystal, ideally MgV2O4, synthesized at 1 bar, 1200 C and equilibrated under FMQ + 1.3 log f(sub o2) condition, was investigated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe, and electron backscatter (EBSD). The initial X-ray structure refinements gave tetrahedral and octahedral site occupancies, along with the presence of 0.053 apfu Mg at an interstitial octahedral site . Back-scattered electron (BSE) images and electron microprobe analyses revealed the existence of an Mg-rich phase in the spinel matrix, which was too small (less than or equal to 3microns) for an accurate chemical determination. The EBSD analysis combined with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscop[y (XEDS) suggested that the Mg-rich inclusions are periclase oriented coherently with the spinel matrix. The final structure refinements were optimized by subtracting the X-ray intensity contributions (approx. 9%) of periclase reflections, which eliminated the interstitial Mg. This study provides insight into possible origins of refined interstitial cations reported in the the literature for spinel, and points to the difficulty of using only X-ray diffraction data to distinguish a spinel with interstitial cations from one with coherently oriented MgO inclusions.

Uchida, Hinako↗
NASA NTRS1971

Measurement of lattice damage caused by ion-implantation doping of semiconductors.

Discussion of two new techniques used to measure the lattice damage produced in GaAs by the implantation of 60 keV cadmium ions. In the first method, optical reflection spectra of the ion-implanted samples were measured in the wavelength range from 2000 to 4600 A. The decrease in reflectivity resulting from ion-implantation was used to determine the relative amount of lattice damage as a function of ion dose. The second technique employed the scanning electron microscope. Patterns very similar in appearance to Kikuchi electron diffraction patterns are obtained when the secondary and/or backscattered electron intensity is displayed as a function of the angle of incidence of the electron beam on a single crystal surface. The results of measurements made by both methods are compared with each other and with data obtained by the method of measuring lattice damage by Rutherford scattering of 1 MeV helium ions.

Hunsperger, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Surface Diagnostics in Tribology Technology and Advanced Coatings Development

This paper discusses the methodologies used for surface property measurement of thin films and coatings, lubricants, and materials in the field of tribology. Surface diagnostic techniques include scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, stylus profilometry, x-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering, elastic recoil spectroscopy, and tribology examination. Each diagnostic technique provides specific measurement results in its own unique way. In due course it should be possible to coordinate the different pieces of information provided by these diagnostic techniques into a coherent self-consistent description of the surface properties. Examples are given on the nature and character of thin diamond films.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗
NASA NTRS1999

Measurements and Diagnostics of Diamond Films and Coatings

The commercial potential of chemical-vapor-deposited (CVD) diamond films has been established and a number of applications have been identified through university, industry, and government research studies. This paper discusses the methodologies used for property measurement and diagnostic of CVD diamond films and coatings. Measurement and diagnostic techniques studied include scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, stylus profilometry, x-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering, elastic recoil spectroscopy, and friction examination. Each measurement and diagnostic technique provides unique information. A combination of techniques can provide the technical information required to understand the quality and properties of CVD diamond films, which are important to their application in specific component systems and environments. In this study the combination of measurement and diagnostic techniques was successfully applied to correlate deposition parameters and resultant diamond film composition, crystallinity, grain size, surface roughness, and coefficient of friction.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗
DOE OSTI2025

Investigation of UO 2 doped with Fe 2 O 3 sintered under a reducing atmosphere

Nuclear fuel produced with trace amounts of transition metal additives is of potential interest for introducing intentional signatures for accelerating nuclear forensics. In this work, we investigate the effects on microstructure, grain size, crystal structure, and stoichiometry when trace amounts of Fe in the form of Fe 2 O 3 are added to UO 2 . Sintering of compacts with different concentrations, from 250 to 3000 ppmw, was performed under a reducing atmosphere at 1773 K. The persistence of the taggant during the fuel fabrication process as well as its impact on grain size, crystal lattice, and first-neighbor chemistry was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy–backscatter electron spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. We observed that a negligible amount of Fe was lost during sintering. Our results indicate that the feedstock, Fe 2 O 3 transforms into Fe and FeO under the test sintering conditions. For all compositions, metallic Fe precipitate was found in grain boundaries as a secondary phase. In conclusion, the potential incorporation of ionic Fe into the UO 2 unit cell was determined by pXRD and Raman spectra.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Zircon-Reidite Shock Transformation: A Tem Study of Reidite Produced at A Newly Established 21.2 GPa Shock Pressure Threshold

The high-pressure polymorph of zircon (Zr2SiO4) is reidite, a phase with the scheelite structure that was first discovered to form at ca. 12 GPa in static high-pressure experiments [1]. Reidite was subsequently found to occur in naturally shocked zircons from several terrestrial impact localities [2,3], as well as in shock recovery-reverberation experiments performed above 20 GPa [4]. The nature and distribution of reidite occurrences in terrestrial impact localities has pointed to its potential use as a shock pressure indicator, as well as to the importance of understanding its age-reset effects in zircon geochronology [3]. In this study we have used coordinated SEM/Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and Field-Emission Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (FE-STEM) to study the micro- and nanostructure of reidite and its shocked zircon host produced at 21.2 GPa under experimental shock recovery/reverberation conditions [5]. Our results document the TEM microstructure of reidite formed at a 21.2 GPa experimental shock pressure that is significantly lower than that observed in previous studies [4]. At these conditions the sample developed a diverse set of microstructures that have not been previously documented on the TEM scale.

shock metamorphism↗
NASA NTRS1995

Search for life on Mars: Evaluation of techniques

An important question for exobiology is, did life evolve on Mars? To answer this question, experiments must be conducted on the martian surface. Given current mission constraints on mass, power, and volume, these experiments can only be performed using proposed analytical techniques such as: electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, a-proton backscatter, g-ray spectrometry, differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, pyrolysis gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and specific element detectors. Using prepared test samples consisting of 1% organic matter (bovine serum albumin) in palagonite and a mixture of palagonite, clays, iron oxides, and evaporites, it was determined that a combination of X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis coupled with gas chromatography provides the best insight into the chemistry, mineralogy, and geological history of the samples.

Schwartz, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Enhancement of photoluminescence intensity of GaAs with cubic GaS chemical vapor deposited using a structurally designed single-source precursor

A two order-of-magnitude enhancement of photoluminescence intensity relative to untreated GaAs has been observed for GaAs surfaces coated with chemical vapor-deposited GaS. The increase in photoluminescence intensity can be viewed as an effective reduction in surface recombination velocity and/or band bending. The gallium cluster /(t-Bu)GaS/4 was used as a single-source precursor for the deposition of GaS thin films. The cubane core of the structurally characterized precursor is retained in the deposited film producing a cubic phase. Furthermore, a near-epitaxial growth is observed for the GaS passivating layer. Films were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopies.

Macinnes, Andrew N.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Photoluminescence intensity enhancement of GaAs by vapor-deposited GaS - A rational approach to surface passivation

A two order-of-magnitude enhancement of photoluminescence intensity relative to untreated GaAs has been observed for GaAs surfaces coated with chemical vapor-deposited GaS. The increase in photoluminescence intensity can be viewed as an effective reduction in surface recombination velocity and/or band bending. The gallium cluster (/t-Bu/GaS)4 was used as a single-source precursor for the deposition of GaS thin films. The cubane core of the structurally-characterized precursor is retained in the deposited film producing a cubic phase. Furthermore, a near-epitaxial growth is observed for the GaS passivating layer. Films were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopies.

Jenkins, Phillip P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Reaction of Ta thin film with single crystalline (001) beta-SiC

The reaction between a sputtered-deposited Ta film (320 nm thick) and a single crystalline (001) beta-SiC substrate induced by vacuum annealing at temperatures of 600-1200 C for 1 h (30 min at 1100 C) is investigated by 3 MeV He(+2) backscattering spectrometry, x-ray diffraction, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and transmission and scanning electron microscopies. No significant reaction is observed at 800 C or at lower tempertures. At 900 C, the main product phases are Ta2C and carbon-stabilized Ta5Si3. A minor amount of unreacted Ta is also present. After annealing at 1000 C, all the tantalum has reacted; the reaction zone possesses a multilayered structure of beta-SiC/TaC/carbon-stabilized Ta5Si3/alpha-Ta5Si3/Ta2C. The diffusion path at 1000 C is plotted on the isothermal section of the Ta-Si-C phase diagram. At 1100 C, the reacted layer has an interface with the SiC substrate that is still quite flat but has a rough surface due to the formation of macroscopic voids within the reacted layer. The equilibrium products predicted by the phase diagram are TaC and TaSi2. This final state is reached by annealing at 1200 C for 1 h. At that point, the reacted layer has a latterally very uneven structure and morphology.

Chen, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Friction and Wear Properties of As-deposited and Carbon Ion-implanted Diamond Films

Recent work on the friction and wear properties of as-deposited and carbon ion-implanted diamond films was reviewed. Diamond films were produced by the microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. Diamond films with various grain sizes and surface roughnesses were implanted with carbon ions at 60 ke V ion energy, resulting in a dose of 1.2310(exp 17) carbon ions/cm(exp 2). Various analytical techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, proton recoil analysis, Rutherford backscattering, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction, were utilized to characterize the diamond films. Sliding friction experiments were conducted with a polished natural diamond pin in contact with diamond films in the three environments: humid air (40 percent relative humidity), dry nitrogen (less than 1 percent relative humidity), and ultrahigh vacuum (10(exp -7) Pa). The CVD diamond films indeed have friction and were properties similar to those of natural diamond in the three environments. The as-deposited, fine-grain diamond films can be effectively used as self-lubricating, wear-resistant coatings that have low coefficients of friction (0.02 to 0.04) and low wear rates (10(exp -7) to 10(exp -8)mm(exp 3)/N-m) in both humid air and dry nitrogen. However, they have high coefficients of friction (1.5 to 1.7) and a high wear rate (10(exp -4)mm(exp 3/N-m) in ultrahigh vacuum. The carbon ion implanation produced a thin surficial layer (less than 0.1 micron thick) of amorphous, nondiamond carbon on the diamond films. In humid air and dry nitrogen, the ion-implanted, fine- and coarse-grain diamond films have a low coefficient of friction (around 0.1) and a low wear rate (10(exp -7)mm(exp 3/N-m). Even in ultrahigh vacuum, the presence of the nondiamond carbon layer reduced the coefficient of friction of fine-grain diamond films to 0.1 or lower and the wear rate to 10(exp -6)mm(exp 3)/N-m. Thus, the carbon ion-implanted, fine-grain diamond films can be effectively used as wear-resistant, self-lubricating coatings not only in air and dry nitrogen, but also in ultrahigh vacuum. The wear mechanism of diamond films is that of small fragments chipping off the surface. The size of wear particles is related to the extent of wear rates.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗