An application of an intense pulsed ion beam to metal surface modifications

A pure titanium and a high-speed tool steel (SKH51) are irradiated by an intense pulsed ion beam (IPIB) with the ion energy of 180 keV, the ion current density of 460 A/cm² and the pulse duration of 65 ns. A nanocrystalline structure of pure titanium is formed on the surface by IPIB-irradiation, resulting in an enhancement of wear resistance. By IPIB irradiation to the SKH51, the second phase carbides of VC, Fe6C, and Cr6C are dispersed from the surface. A high-temperature phase, austenite, composed of nm-sized polycrystals is produced on the SKH51 surface by the repeated irradiation of IPIB.