Surface modification of 2Cr13 oil pump steel by plasma immersion ion implantation–ion beam enhanced deposition (PIII–IBED)

2Cr13 martensite steel is often used as a piston material in oil pumps. In the harsh environment of an oil field, the materials and components undergo extensive and accelerated wear and tear. In this study, we employ Ti and N plasma immersion ion implantation and ion beam enhanced deposition (PIII-IBED) to enhance the surface wear resistance of 2Cr13 steel in an effort to prolong its working lifetime. To assess the technique efficacy and surface properties of the 2Cr13 steel samples treated by PIII-IBED using different voltages, the coefficient of friction, wear tracks, microhardness, anode polarization curves, chemical composition and elemental depth profiles were determined. The experimental data show that the wear resistance of the treated 2Cr13 steel samples is improved significantly by the method, and the nitride phases formed in the modified layer play an important role in the enhancement mechanism. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.