ION IMPLANTATION

ION IMPLANTATION, introduction of foreign atoms into a solid body by bombardment of its surface with ions in vacuum units; a type of vacuum ion plasma technology. Elimination of a defective layer left after previous treatment and post-implantation annealing create an ultra-fine grain phase subject to subsequent radiation hardening and compressive stress formation. Introduction of lanthanide compounds improves heat resistance, while carbide and boride-promoting elements increase hardness and resistance. The UMPO plant uses I.i. to increase the fatigue limit of gas turbine engine blades with the goal of improving the operating parameters of metal cutting tools, die tooling, etc. Starting from 1992, the I.i. vacuum units are capable of treating more than a hundred 200300 mm pieces simultaneously.