Ion implantation—the job coaterʹs supplement to coating techniques

Since the beginning of the 1990s, industrial application of ion implantation has increased considerably at the Tribology Centre. The Centre has focused on ion implantation techniques using steered and focused mass separated ion beams. This method has enabled the Selected Area Ion Implantation (SAII) approach, by which it has been possible to establish ion implantation as an important supplement to commercial coating techniques. In particular, industries working with plastics and thin metal/steel sheets use ion implanted tools. Injection moulds, punches, dies and drawing tools are frequently ion implanted with the result that tool life is enhanced by a factor of 3–10 and in some cases even more. For such applications ion implantation has found an important niche where it outperforms coating techniques also with respect to price. Examples of tools improved by ion implantation are given, and ion implantation is discussed in relation to the coating technologies of PVD and PCVD.