Abstract: A process for improving the wear resistance of metals, comprising the operation of implanting into a metal article the wear resistance of which is to be improved ions of a material which is capable of forming within the article oxide compounds having a perovskite-type structure, and terminating the implantation of the ions when a dose of at least 10.sup.15 ions per square centimeter has been implanted.The process may also include an oxidizing stage after the implantation of the ions. Examples of the process are described in which the article is made of a steel and the ions are selected from the group consisting of Y.sup.+, Sc.sup.+, Yb.sup.+, Ce.sup.+, La.sup.+ and Dy.sup.+.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a metal working tool element made of cemented carbide materials, as hereinafter described, comprising the operation of implanting into a working surface of the tool element ions of a material such as to modify the implanted region of the working surface of the tool element in such a way as to prevent adhesion between the matrix metal of the cemented carbide tool element and a metal being worked by the tool element. Metal working tool elements so treated are also disclosed.