MODIFICATION OF THE LOCALIZED CORROSION BEHAVOR OF AISI 52100 STEEL BY ION IMPLANTATION.

The pitting resistance of AISI 52100 steel in deaerated 0. 01M NaCl (pH 6 buffered) solution has been significantly improved following ion implantation with a) Cr, b) Cr plus P and c) Ta ions. Cr plus P and Ta ion implantation resulted in the formation of amorphous surface alloys. The improvements observed in pitting resistance are discussed in terms of the effect of the ion implantation process on the composition and structure of the carbides and martensitic metal matrix and the nature of the passive films formed on the furface alloys in the Cl** minus solution.