Surface treatment and alloying with high-power ion beams to improve properties in Al-, Fe-, and Ti-based metals

T. J. Renk, R. G. Buchheit, N. R. Sorensen, D. Cowell Senft, M. O. Thompson, K. S. Grabowski

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Intense pulsed high-power ion beams have been demonstrated to produce enhanced surface properties by changes in microstructure caused by rapid heating and cooling of the surface. Additional improvements can be effected by the mixing of a previously deposited thin-film layer (surface alloying or ion beam mixing) into any number of substrate materials. We have conducted surface treatment and alloying experiments with Al, Fe, and Ti-based metals on the RHEPP-1 accelerator (0.8 MV, 20 Ω, 80 ns FHWM, up to 1 Hz repetition rate) at Sandia National Laboratories. Ions are generated by the MAP gas-breakdown active anode, which can yield a number of different beam species including H, N, and Xe, depending upon the injected gas. Enhanced hardness and wear resistance have been produced by treatment of 440C stainless steel, and by the mixing of Pt into Ti-6AL-4V alloy. Mixing of a thin-film Hf layer into Al 6061-T6 alloy (Al-1.0Mg-0.6Si) has improved its corrosion resistance by as much as four orders of magnitude in electrochemical testing, compared with untreated and uncoated Al6061. Experiments are ongoing to further understand the microstructural basis for these surface improvements.

Original languageEnglish
Pages192-197
Number of pages6
StatePublished - 1997
EventProceedings of the 1997 11th International Pulsed Power Conference. Part 2 (of 2) - Baltimore, MD, USA
Duration: Jun 29 1997Jul 2 1997

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of the 1997 11th International Pulsed Power Conference. Part 2 (of 2)
CityBaltimore, MD, USA
Period6/29/977/2/97

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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