US4486247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wear resistant steel articles with carbon, oxygen and nitrogen implanted in the surface thereof
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1982-06-21
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Granted: 1984-12-04
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Expires: 2002-06-21
Abstract
Abstract The present invention pertains to steel articles having improved wear and friction properties and the method of producing these articles. A steel surface containing relatively high levels of nitrogen and having a surface film containing carbon is implanted with high energy ions. Overlapping layers enriched in carbon and nitrogen are formed beneath the surface and provide the steel with a surface that has improved wear and friction characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunes M. Ecer
- 👤 Susan Wood
- 👤 Jan J. Schreurs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:22
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/48; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/902; Y10S148/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A steel member having a low friction, high wear resistance surface layer formed by the process comprising the steps of: diffusing nitrogen into said surface by thermal means; forming an oxygen containing film; forming a carbon containing film on said surface; then implanting nitrogen into said surface using accelerating beam voltages between about 10 and 400 KeV in a vacuum of about 10 -4 to 10 -3 Pa until a fluence of about 0.5×10 17 to 2×10 17 nitrogen ions/cm 2 is achieved; and wherein said implanting of nitrogen results in implanting carbon and oxygen into said surface from said carbon containing film and said oxygen containing film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A steel member having a low friction, high wear resistance surface layer formed by the process comprising the steps of: diffusing nitrogen into said surface by thermal means; forming an oxygen containing film; forming a carbon containing film on said surface; then implanting nitrogen into said surface using accelerating beam voltages between about 10 and 400 KeV in a vacuum of about 10 -4 to 10 -3 Pa until a fluence of about 0.5×10 17 to 2×10 17 nitrogen ions/cm 2 is achieved; and wherein said implanting of nitrogen results in implanting carbon and oxygen into said surface from said carbon containing film and said oxygen containing film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The steel member in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein an accelerating beam voltage of 50 to 150 KeV is used to implant said nitrogen ions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The steel member according to claim 1 wherein said steel member is a stainless steel alloy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The steel member according to claim 3 wherein said stainless steel alloy is a precipitation hardening alloy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The steel member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said alloy is a type 17-4 PH stainless steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a steel body; said steel body having a low friction, high wear resistance surface; overlapping layers beneath said surface, including a layer enriched in nitrogen and a layer enriched in carbon, and wherein said layer enriched in nitrogen and said layer enriched in carbon overlap in a zone about 300 to 2500 angstroms wide; and a layer enriched in oxygen overlapping said layer enriched in nitrogen and said layer enriched in carbon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a steel body; said steel body having a low friction, high wear resistance surface; overlapping layers beneath said surface, including a layer enriched in nitrogen and a layer enriched in carbon, and wherein said layer enriched in nitrogen and said layer enriched in carbon overlap in a zone about 300 to 2500 angstroms wide; and a layer enriched in oxygen overlapping said layer enriched in nitrogen and said layer enriched in carbon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The article of manufacture in accordance with claim 6 wherein said zone contains oxygen, carbon, about 600 to 15,000 ppm nitrogen, and the balance consisting of iron and other elements present in said steel body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article according to claim 7 wherein said steel body is a stainless steel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article according to claim 8 wherein said stainless steel is a precipitation hardening type.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article according to claim 9 wherein said stainless steel is a type 17-4 PH stainless steel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-04 | 1988-06-04 | 1988-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-04 | 1992-06-04 | 1992-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-04 | 1996-06-04 | 1996-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |