Modification of mechanical and tribological properties of R6M5 steel and Be by intense pulsed-ion and pulsed-electron beams

Investigations of mechanical and tribological properties of Be and R6M5 ins trument steel, exposed to intense-pulsed ion beams with short pulses (simil ar to 10(-8) s), middle intensities ( similar to 10(8) W/cm(2)) and energy fluences (1-6 J/cm(2)/pulse) are described. Hardening has been observed not only in near-surface layers, but also at high depths in irradiated target, which were one or two orders more than ion beam range. This was mostly con nected with an increase in dislocation density. Abrasive wear was judged fr om mass ablation rate per unit time and its distribution over the depth cor related closely with the magnitude of microhardness. We found an increase i n wear resistance under dry friction conditions. A possible industrial appl ication of this effect is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.