Evidence of a defect structure in high fluence nitrogen ion implanted titanium and its effect on corrosion

Abstract

Commercially pure titanium grade 2 was implanted with nitrogen ions with a fluence of 1·1018 cm−2 and an accelerating voltage of 90 kV. Surface blisters, a typical sign of oversaturation, were found to be sputtered without re-forming. Massive cracking of the surface layer and the formation of surface pores were observed. Self-ordered pores covered the entire surface, including the area of sputtered blisters. Due to the surface defects, the implanted titanium surface had lower corrosion resistance than non-implanted titanium. Keywords: Titanium, Ion implantation, Defect structure, Electrochemical behaviour