Effect of MEVVA ion implantation on fatigue properties of TC18 titanium alloy

To evaluate the effects of implantation on fatigue performance of TC18 alloy, Cr and Zr were implanted into specimens using metal vapor vacuum arc plasma source (MEVVA) with a dose of 1 × l017 ions/cm2. The test results show that the fatigue resistance decreased after Cr implantation and Zr implantation, compared to no implanted specimen. The increase in surface roughness after implantation has been found. To analyze the effects of surface roughness produced by ion implantation, the related surface parameters and estimated effective fatigue stress concentration factors was discussed using A&R model. Apart from the residual surface stress and other factors, the surface roughness may have an influence on the fatigue limits of the implanted samples.