Browsing by Keyword "Surfaces and Interfaces"
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Item Adsorption characteristics of stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric molecular polyelectrolyte complexes on silicon oxynitride surfaces(2011-02-01) Shovsky, Alexander; Bijelic, Goran; Varga, Imre; Makuška, Ričardas; Claesson, Per M.; MercadoAdsorption properties of stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) have been investigated by means of dual polarization interferometry (DPI) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Poly(sodium styrenesulfonate) (NaPSS) of molecular weight 4300 g/mol was used as polyanion, and two bottle-brush copolymers possessing different molar ratios of the cationic segment methacryloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride (METAC) and the nonionic segment poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate (PEO 45MEMA) were used as polycations. They are referred to as PEO 45MEMA:METAC-25 and PEO45MEMA:METAC-50, where the last digits denote the mol % of charged main-chain segments. The time evolution of the adsorbed amount, thickness, and refractive index of the PEC layers were determined in aqueous solution using DPI. We demonstrate that cationic, uncharged, and negatively charged complexes adsorb to negatively charged silicon oxynitride and that maximum adsorption is achieved when small amounts of PSS are present in the complexes. The surface composition of the adsorbed PEC layers was estimated from XPS measurements that demonstrated very low content of NaPSS. On the basis of these data, the PEC adsorption mechanism is discussed and the competition between PSS and negative surface sites for association with the cationic polyelectrolyte is identified as a key issue.Item Anodic films containing polyaniline and nanoparticles for corrosion protection of AA2024T3 aluminium alloy(2009-02-25) Zubillaga, O.; Cano, F. J.; Azkarate, I.; Molchan, I. S.; Thompson, G. E.; Skeldon, P.; SISTEMAS FOTOVOLTAICOS; SG; Tecnalia Research & InnovationAnodic alumina films containing polyaniline and either TiO2 or ZrO2 nanoparticles were electrochemically synthesised on an AA2024T3 aluminium alloy by a single step anodising procedure in an oxalic acid electrolyte. The morphology and composition of the films were examined by SEM, TEM, GDOES and XPS. The resultant coatings, of thickness about 2.2 μm, displayed a nanoparticle-rich layer in the near surface-regions, of thickness in the range 100-250 nm. Potentiodynamic polarisation behaviour revealed that the polyaniline and TiO2-containing films on the AA2024T3 aluminium alloy show a passive current density two orders of magnitude lower than for films with ZrO2 nanoparticles and films without nanoparticles. The coatings with TiO2 nanoparticles, but without polyaniline, showed intermediate behaviour, with a passive current density one order of magnitude lower than the coatings with polyaniline and TiO2 nanoparticles. The improved barrier protection offered by the TiO2 nanoparticle containing coatings is attributed to the presence of the nanoparticle-rich layer formed on the outer part of the coating that blocks access to the pores of the anodic alumina film.Item Atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation of cement pastes with nanotube dispersions(2006-05) Sáez De Ibarra, Y.; Gaitero, J. J.; Erkizia, E.; Campillo, I.; Centros PRE-FUSION TECNALIA - (FORMER); Tecnalia Research & Innovation; ECOEFICIENCIA DE PRODUCTOS DE CONSTRUCCIÓNSince their discovery in 1991 by Iijima [1], carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have probably become the most promising nanomaterials due to their unique mechanical, electronic and chemical properties. Our aim is to improve the mechanical properties of cement pastes by the addition of CNTs, giving rise to a new and higher-performance composite material. To reach an efficient cement-based composite with nanotubes, we have studied the addition of different CNT concentrations in the mix design in order to obtain enhanced mechanical properties with respect to plain cement pastes. We have measured the micro-hardness and Young's modulus of the composites by nanoindenting with a sharp diamond three-sided pyramidal tip mounted on an Atomic Force Microscope probe. These measurements have been correlated with the average macroscopic Young's modulus.Item Binder jetting of high dimensional stability alloy for space applications(European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA), 2020) Azurmendi, N.; Lores, A.; Guraya, C.; Agote, I.; EXTREMATBinder Jetting technology provides a new scope in metal additive manufacturing due to its capability to produce high complexity parts in a wide variety of different materials. This work opens a new pathway to fabricate high dimensional stability Invar36 aerospace devices with Binder Jetting technology, for applications where temperature fluctuations directly interfere in the correct performance of high sensibility systems. Since full density part fabrication is one of the main ongoing challenges for Binder Jetting, the leading objective of this work is to study and optimise the main process parameters to increase the final density of Invar36 printed parts. Microstructural analysis and obtained density and CTE values, confirmed the feasibility to fabricate Invar36 parts.Item Binder jetting process effects on metal powder reusability(European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA), 2019) Agote, I.; Azurmendi, N.; Guraya, C.; Lores, A.; EXTREMATDue to its high cost and its direct impact in final part properties, the reuse of metal powders for additive manufacturing purposes is being a trending subject of study. In order to reduce production costs, ensure a robust process quality management, and consolidate a widespread industry adoption of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology, the analysis and control of the effect that multiple process cycles have on powder raw material is crucial. To this aim, a starting virgin 316L powder was subjected to a number of Binder Jet printing and curing cycles, simulating large size production lots. The powder particle size distribution, oxide content and powder contamination was analysed along with the sinterability of some control specimens printed between certain number of process cycles. Results showed that, unlike in other powder bed based AM technologies, the reuse of powder material in Binder Jetting process has a minimum influence on raw powder and final part density.Item Bone cell adhesion on ion implanted titanium alloys(2005-06-22) Braceras, I.; Onate, J.I.; Goikoetxea, L.; Viviente, J.L.; Alava, J.I.; de Maeztu, M.A.; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; Biomateriales; TECNOLOGÍA DE MEMBRANAS E INTENSIFICACIÓN DE PROCESOSThe authors have previously reported than ion implantation can have a significant effect on osseointegration of an implant, specially when the latter is introduced in areas of poorer bone density. These results indicate that this process is particularly suited for implant devices introduced in elderly patients or in those regions that have a poor quality of bone. The aim of this work is directed to study osteoblast adhesion on Ti alloy surfaces with different ion implantation treatments, so osseoconductive properties of several surfaces can be assessed. Polished discs of Ti–6Al–4V and Ti CP GR1 titanium alloy have been prepared and ion implanted with different species and parameters (dose and energy). Afterwards, the samples have been sterilized by UV light, inoculated with 1.5×105 human bone cells and incubated during 4 h at 37 C and 5% CO2 atmosphere. Then, once fixed and rinsed, image analysis has been used to quantify the number of cells attached to the Ti discs. On a second round of tests, cell proliferation tests have been conducted during 24, 48, 144 and 192 h, respectively. Furthermore, surface analysis techniques (e.g. AFM) have been applied to learn about the qualitative behavior, i.e. morphology, of the attached cells. Cell attachment has shown to be highly sensitive to ion implantation parameters. Although some quantitative differences have been observed, the more significant differences were qualitative. AFM analysis has shown that the star-shaped bone cells attached spread more and occupied larger surfaces like in osseointegration prone surfaces, most probably due to extracellular matrix synthesized around them, while other surfaces showed mainly large and narrow shaped or round shaped bone cells often with great cellular nucleus in the middle of the cells and little extracellular matrix around. So, ion implanted surfaces that facilitate osseointegration have been identified, in terms of initial bone cell attachment quality, where although the number of attached cells were not necessarily always larger, they tended to occupy wider areas with healthier cells.Item Carbon nanotubes for biological devices(2006-05) García, A.; Bustero, I.; Muñoz, R.; Goikotxea, L.; Obieta, I.; PRINTEX; Biomateriales; Tecnalia Research & InnovationThe unique properties of carbon nanotubes open attractive possibilities in many applications areas, for instance as biological devices. Multi Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWNT) have been synthesized by Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and the influence of certain process variables in the final product yield have been studied. In addition, purification treatment applied at synthesized carbon nanotubes, has been developed. Biocompatibility tests have demonstrated that purified carbon nanotubes are non-cytotoxic. Finally, a functionalization process is developed to help in carbon nanotubes-biomolecule interaction.Item Cermets development by Ers process: Effect of the mould on the material properties(2017) Agote, I.; Lagos, M. A.; Da Costa, E.; EXTREMATWC-Co is known for its excellent characteristics such as hardness and wear resistance, for machining and wear resistant applications. Today, both the W and the Co are considered critical materials by the European Union and, in addition, the Co is particularly toxic. This fact makes that alternatives to replace these elements are gaining importance in recent years. This work presents the study of the processing Fe-TiC system by non-conventional sintering process as a potential alternative to some WC-Co compositions. The electrical resistance sintering (ERS) process has been used to obtain fully dense Fe-TiC compositions. ERS is based on Joule heating which allows conducting extremely fast sintering cycles. The Fe-TiC system with different binder content phase was studied and analysed (microstructure, hardness and fracture toughness). The effect of the die used during the sintering process has been studied. It was found that the thermal characteristics of the die play an important role in the obtained materials properties.Item Changes in tribological properties of an AISI 440C martensitic stainless steel after ion implantation of carbon at very high doses(1996-09) Alonso, F.; García, A.; Ugarte, J. J.; Viviente, J. L.; Oñate, J. I.; Baranda, P. S.; Cooper, C. V.; Centros PRE-FUSION TECNALIA - (FORMER); TECNOLOGÍA DE MEMBRANAS E INTENSIFICACIÓN DE PROCESOS; Tecnalia Research & InnovationIon implantation of N+ or C+ has been proven to be a suitable technique for improving tribological properties of steels. In the case of C+ implantation at very high doses, amorphization and a carbonaceous layer can be formed on the surface, the latter of which reduces adhesion when like-on-like material contact conditions occur, thereby decreasing surface wear and friction. A study to determine the influence of C+ ion implantation at very high doses (exceeding 1018 ions cm-2) on tribo-mechanical properties of AISI 440C steel is presented in this work. Ball-on-disc wear and friction tests using an AISI 440C steel ball showed a decrease of wear with increasing dose of more than one order of magnitude. A reduction in friction coefficient was also measured, from 1.0 down to 0.4. C 1s spectra from XPS analyses showed the presence of C-C bonds in the ion-implanted samples, suggesting the formation of a graphitic layer on the surface, responsible for the decrease in surface wear and friction after ion implantation.Item Characterization of nanostructured Ti–B–(N) coatings produced by direct current magnetron sputtering(2007-02-26) López-Cartes, C.; Martínez-Martínez, D.; Sánchez-López, J.C.; Fernández, A.; García-Luis, A.; Brizuela, Marta; Onate, J.I.; TECNOLOGÍAS DE HIDRÓGENO; INGENIERÍA DE SUPERFICIES; Tecnalia Research & InnovationA series of Ti–B–(N) coatings prepared by dc magnetron sputtering using TiB2 targets in Ar/N2 gas mixtures has been chemically and structurally characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The influence of synthesis parameters such as applied heating power and nitrogen flow on the structure and chemical composition of the coatings has been studied. Independently of the experimental conditions employed during the synthesis, hexagonal TiB2 is the main crystalline phase present in the coatings. The use of N2 leads to the formation of an amorphous mixture of BN/TiN phases, as well as a diminution of the TiB2 crystalline phase. The influence of the composition and structure of the coatings on their hardness is also discussed.Item Characterization of Ti-6Al-4V modified by nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation(1997-09) Alonso, F.; Rinner, M.; Loinaz, A.; Oñate, J. I.; Ensinger, W.; Rauschenbach, B.; Centros PRE-FUSION TECNALIA - (FORMER); Tecnalia Research & InnovationT1-6Al-4V alloy is commonly used in biomedical or aerospace applications, due to its excellent combination of chemical and mechanical properties, such as bioinertness, corrosion resistance or high strength to weight ratio. The use of surface treatments or coatings has widened the application possibilities of this alloy. The often observed poor tribological performance can be overcome by the correct choice of surface engineering methods. Ion implantation is a candidate among the different available processes and excellent results have been obtained in biomedical applications. However, when complex geometries are involved, it can be a difficult and less economically effective treatment. Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) offers the possibility of performing three-dimensional ion beam treatments, reducing the need for manipulation under vacuum to obtain a uniform treatment of geometrically complex parts. In this work, PIII was used to implant nitrogen in the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The nitrogen plasma was generated with a 2.45 GHz microwave excitation, and a pulsed bias voltage of 45 kV with pulse repetition rates of 50 and 400 Hz were applied. Nitrogen retained doses were evaluated by means of Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). Pin-on-disc wear and friction tests were performed on the implanted samples. An ultra high molecular weight polyethylene pin was used as the counterface material to partially simulate the conditions encountered in biomedical applications. A reasonable improvement in load bearing capacity with respect to the unimplanted alloy was observed after these tribological tests. However, no hardening could be measured after ion implantation. The worn surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy and optical profilometry after the tests and the type of wear mechanism was studied. The effect of the implantation was to increase the load at which breakthrough occurred on the protective surface layer.Item Chemical and microstructural characterization of (Y or Zr)-doped CrAlN coatings(2012-10-25) Rojas, T. C.; El Mrabet, S.; Domínguez-Meister, S.; Brizuela, M.; García-Luis, A.; Sánchez-López, J. C.; INGENIERÍA DE SUPERFICIES; TECNOLOGÍAS DE HIDRÓGENOMagnetron sputtered chromium aluminium nitride films are excellent candidates for advanced machining and protection for high temperature applications. In this work CrAlN-based coatings including Y or Zr as dopants (2at.%) are deposited by d.c. reactive magnetron sputtering on silicon substrates using metallic targets and Ar/N 2 mixtures. The hardness properties are found in the range of 22-33GPa with H/E ratios close to 0.1. The influence of the dopant element in terms of oxidation resistance after heating in air at 1000°C is studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (X-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The microstructure and chemical bonding are investigated using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) respectively. The improvement in oxidation resistance as compared to pure CrN coating is manifested in the formation of a Al-rich outer layer that protects the underneath coating from oxygen diffusion. The best performance obtained with the CrAlYN film is investigated by in situ annealing of this sample inside the TEM in order to gain knowledge about the structural and chemical transformations induced during heating.Item Chromium-free conversion coatings based on inorganic salts(Zr/Ti/Mn/Mo) for aluminum alloys used in aircraft applications(2015-08-01) Santa Coloma, Patricia; Izagirre, Usoa; Belaustegui, Yolanda; Jorcin, J.B.; Cano, F.J.; Lapeña, N.; Belaustegi, Y.; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; INGENIERÍA DE SUPERFICIES; VALORIZACIÓN DE RESIDUOS; MATERIALES PARA CONDICIONES EXTREMAS; SGNovel chromium-free conversion coatings based on Zr/Ti/Mn/Mo compounds were developed at a pilot scale to improve the corrosion resistance of the AA2024-T3 and AA7075-T6 aluminum alloys for aircraft applications. The influence of the presence of Zr and Ti in the Zr/Ti/Mn/Mo conversion bath's formulation on the corrosion resistance of the coated alloys was investigated. The corrosion resistance provided by the conversion coatings was evaluated by salt spray exposure and potentiodynamic sweeps. Optical and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) operating in the Kelvin Probe mode (SKPFM) were used to provide microstructural information of the coated samples that achieved the best results in the corrosion tests. The salt spray test evidenced the higher corrosion resistance of the coated samples compared to the bare surfaces for both alloys. The potentiodynamic tests showed that the corrosion current density decreased for coated AA7075-T6 and AA2024-T3 alloys, which indicated an obvious improvement of the corrosion resistance with all the processes for both alloys. Although the corrosion resistance of the coated samples appeared to be higher for the alloy AA7075-T6 than for the alloy AA2024-T3, both alloys achieved the best corrosion protection with the coatings deposited from conversion bath formulations containing no titanium salts. The microscopy analysis on the coated AA7075-T6 samples revealed that a local deposition of Zr compounds and, possibly, an oxidation process occurred in the vicinity of the alloy's intermetallic particles. The amount of the Zr deposits at these locations increased with coating's formulations without Ti, which provided the best corrosion resistance. The Cr-free conversion coatings developed in this study for the AA7075-T6 and AA2024-T3 alloys do not meet yet the strict requirements of the aircraft industry. However, they significantly improved the corrosion performance with respect to the bare alloys and could be a good starting point for further studies and optimization.Item CO 2 laser cutting of advanced high strength steels (AHSS)(2005-04-15) Lamikiz, A.; Lacalle, L. N.López De; Sánchez, J. A.; Pozo, D. Del; Etayo, J. M.; López, J. M.; SG; COMPOSITEThis article demonstrates the optimum working areas and cutting conditions for the laser cutting of a series of advanced high strength steels (AHSS). The parameters that most influence the cutting of sheet metal have been studied and the results have been divided into two large groups with thickness of more and less than 1 mm. The influence of the material and, more important, the effect of coating have been taken into account. The results, have demonstrate very different behaviours between the thinnest and thickest sheets, whilst the variation of the cutting parameters due to the influence of the material is less relevant. The optimum cutting areas and the quality of the cut evaluated with different criteria are presented. Finally, the best position for the laser beam has been observed to be underneath the sheet.Item Comparative study on the photocatalytic behaviour of titanium oxide thermal sprayed coatings from powders and suspensions(2009-05-25) Toma, F. L.; Berger, L. M.; Jacquet, D.; Wicky, D.; Villaluenga, I.; de Miguel, Y. R.; Lindeløv, J. S.; MercadoThis work presents a study of the microstructures and photocatalytic behaviour of titanium oxide coatings obtained by thermal spraying of agglomerated nanopowders and suspensions. Fine TiO2 Degussa P25 nanopowder, generally considered as the reference material in photocatalytic applications, was used as the material feedstock. HVOF process and suspension thermal spraying were used to prepare photocatalytic titania coatings. The coatings were mainly characterised by means of SEM and X-ray diffraction. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated based on decolouration of the pink dye Rhodamine B and degradation of gaseous acetaldehyde. A lower degree of pollutant degradation was found for deposits prepared by HVOF spraying of granules due principally to the low content of the photocatalytically active phase, i.e. anatase. Complete photocatalytic degradation of the organic compounds was recorded for the suspension-sprayed coatings. Based on the current results, suspension thermal spraying appears to be the better choice for preparing photocatalytically active titanium oxide surfaces for the removal of organic pollutants.Item Comparison of air ingestion vs dimensionless parameters in squeeze film dampers(2010) Torres, Jorge E.; Diaz, Sergio E.; CCAMIngestion and entrainment of air into the Squeeze Film Dampers (SFDs) with open end result in a bubbly mixture that affects their damping capacity. The industrial applications demand dampers with low pressure supply and operating high speed, it means, it exists a necessity of propose a model to predict the air ingestion in this kind of bearing. Diaz and San Andrés reported results of an extend research to quantify the effect bubbly mixture in the performance of the SFDs. They also advanced an analytic model for short infinity bearings (L/D=0) which estimate the air ingestion as function of non-dimensional number named by them feed squeeze flow number. Méndez et al. advanced the understanding of the effect air entrainment. They propose a new dimensionless map to estimate the air volume fraction in finite length bearings. Although, their results are immediate applicability, they do not have been validated. The present work looks for confirm the results presented by Méndez et al. To achieve this, it is solved a compressible Reynold equation with a different numerical method. The results indicate that is necessary another dimensionless number to estimate the entrapment air and the dimensionless map proposed by Méndez et al. is valid only to bearings with an eccentricity-clearing ratio of 0.5248.Item Correlation of the impact resistance of variously doped CrAlN PVD coatings with their cutting performance in milling aerospace alloys(2008-12-25) Bouzakis, K. D.; Michailidis, N.; Gerardis, S.; Katirtzoglou, G.; Lili, E.; Pappa, M.; Brizuela, M.; Garcia-Luis, A.; Cremer, R.; INGENIERÍA DE SUPERFICIES; TECNOLOGÍAS DE HIDRÓGENOA novel methodology based on analytical and experimental test methods for predicting coated tool efficiency in milling Inconel 718 and Ti6Al4V by coated cemented carbide inserts is introduced. The applied coatings were CrAlN films, containing alternatively Zr or Y dopants. The stress-strain curves and the fatigue critical loads of the applied coatings were determined at various temperatures by nanoindentations and impact tests respectively, employing various FEM-supported procedures for results evaluation. The milling investigations were conducted at various cutting speeds and feedrates. An insight of the developed stress and temperature fields in the cutting wedge region was obtained by force measurements and calculations, based on FEM-simulations of the milling process. These results facilitated the explanation of the coated inserts' cutting performance at various conditions. A sufficient correlation of the coatings' impact resistance at various temperatures with their cutting performance at corresponding cutting speeds was revealed.Item Corrosion performance of anodic films containing polyaniline and TiO2 nanoparticles on AA3105 aluminium alloy(2008-08-15) Zubillaga, O.; Cano, F. J.; Azkarate, I.; Molchan, I. S.; Thompson, G. E.; Cabral, A. M.; Morais, P. J.; SISTEMAS FOTOVOLTAICOS; SG; Tecnalia Research & InnovationThe corrosion protection afforded to an AA3105 aluminium alloy supporting an anodic film with incorporated polyaniline and TiO2 nanoparticles has been examined. The films were synthesised by simultaneous anodizing and electropolymerisation of aniline in the presence of nanoparticles. The morphology and composition of the films were probed by TEM, SEM, rf-GDOES and XPS. The resultant coatings comprised a thin porous anodic film of 2-3 μm thickness, with an outer hybrid polyaniline/TiO2 layer of several tens nanometres thickness, with the dimensions of TiO2 nanoparticles being below 10 nm. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis and salt spray testing revealed that TiO2 containing films provide improved corrosion protection to the AA3105 aluminium alloy compared with the film without nanoparticles. The improved protection provided by the coatings containing TiO2 nanoparticles is attributed to the TiO2 particle-rich thin film layer formed on the outer part of the coating that acts as a blocking barrier layer for the anodic porous aluminium oxide film.Item Corrosion preserving high density plasma treatment of precipitation hardening stainless steel(2018-12-15) Braceras, Iñigo; Ibáñez, Iñigo; Domínguez-Meister, Santiago; Urgebain, Aiala; Sánchez-García, Jose Angel; Larrañaga, Aitor; Garmendia, Iñaki; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; INGENIERÍA DE SUPERFICIES; MATERIALES PARA CONDICIONES EXTREMASSpecialty alloys such as precipitation hardening stainless steels are routinely used in critical applications requiring high strength and corrosion resistance, e.g. in aeronautics, in ground transportation and the biomedical field. Nonetheless, their tribological properties remain poor, while the application of surface treatments results in loss of corrosion resistance. Therefore, typically a not fully satisfactory compromise must be adopted. In the present work, the improvement of tribological features, without loss of corrosion resistance, of the 1.4545 (15-5PH) steel has been explored with the use of high density plasmas. The work has focused on long cylindrical geometries, close to those of real applications. The microstructure and composition of the treated surfaces were studied and the corresponding corrosion resistance stablished. The characteristics of the high density plasmas as well as the sample disposition were key factors in the outcomes, which ranged from fully corroded to corrosion resistant surfaces. Results also showed in certain cases the high density plasmas causing surface cracks followed by local corrosion. Additionally tribological studies demonstrated improvement in wear resistance, and electrical contact resistance (ECR) was found to be a good indicator of the wear phenomena occurring along the tests. An equivalent electric circuit is proposed. Actually ECR could be a useful and simple way of monitoring the surface status and assist in assuring safe and dependable operational lives of the components. In conclusion, treatment conditions of cylindrical 1.4545 (15-5PH) have been defined, which provide with an improved tribological performance, preserving corrosion resistance, with ECR a useful performance monitoring parameter.Item Current status of commercial ion implantation in Spain(1998-05) Oñate, J. I.; Alonso, F.; Braceras, I.; Sanz, A. L.; Rodríguez, R. J.; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; Centros PRE-FUSION TECNALIA - (FORMER); INGENIERÍA DE SUPERFICIESCommercial ion beam implantation has been steadily growing in Spain for the last 8 years. The emphasis has been placed, similar to other European countries, on the surface treatment of precision tooling and moulds rather than in large numbers of engineering components. This has somehow limited the growth of the market since ion implantation has to compete strongly with well established surface engineering alternatives, such as PVD, thermochemical and chemical processes. However, the possibilities of performing selected area ion implantation treatments at controlled temperatures and with computer control of the processing beam allows rapid treatment of selective areas at a very competitive level. One of the application areas where the process has been applied more successfully is in the area of transformation of plastics (injection and extrusion processes), where treatment of nozzles, mould cavities, calibrating extrusion dies, etc. is carried out on a regular basis. Also, ion implantation has yielded good results in the improvement of coining dies for the Spanish mint and is also currently applied for cutting tools for plastics, rubber and paper, as well as in tooling for the manufacturing of cans. Biomedical applications are still in the development and evaluation stage, largely due to the nature of the Spanish market, which has a less significant presence of native capital manufacturing companies. In this paper, an overview is presented of some of the current applications from the two active organisations in ion implantation, INASMET and AIN, with an indication of the areas in which actual research and technology development (R + TD) and industrial treatment services are performed.