Surface alloying by pulsed intense electron beams

Results of numerical calculations and experimental studies of the thickness of modified layers, distribution of implanted materials, microstructure and phase composition inside the layers following pulsed electron beam treatment are presented. Possible physical mechanisms of the alloying process are discussed. The improvements of surface properties, especially corrosion resistance against liquid lead, are presented. It is shown that corrosion of OPTIFER IVc steel by liquid lead containing 8×10⁻⁶ at% oxygen is avoided by alloying Al into the surface.