Mechanical properties of the alloy Ti–6Al–4V irradiated with swift Kr ion

The radiation damage effect on the friction coefficient, wear, and microhardness of the alloy Ti–6Al–4V after 250 MeV krypton ion irradiation was studied. Tribological measurements were made in air, oxygen, and argon atmospheres and in a vacuum. The smallest friction coefficient for the irradiated samples occurred in argon and the vacuum. The wear of the unirradiated samples and those irradiated with low fluences (<1013 cm−2) increased in the vacuum and argon atmosphere. Wear was significantly reduced after irradiation with the fluence of 1014 cm−2. The microhardness of the alloy Ti–6Al–4V increased by over 25% after irradiation with a large fluence.