Extension of bearing endurance life by ion implantation

Abstract
The oscillatory characteristics of ion-implanted ball bearings are described. N-implanted bearings are found to have lower starting torque and longer endurance life both in a vacuum as well as in air than unimplanted bearings. Typical starting torque in air can be reduced by 0.8 thus extending bearing life from 104 to 106 cycles. The effect of ion implantation is discussed with respect to the mechanism of fretting wear in ball bearings subjected to relatively small-angle oscillatory motion.