High-power ion beam treatment application for properties modification of refractory alloys

Abstract

This paper reviews the basic principles and applications of high-power pulsed ion beam (HPPIB) treatment for modification of turbine engine components service properties. This process of high-energy and high-intensity pulsed ion treatment has been evaluated for a number of titanium and nickel-iron base alloys. After a discussion of the basic phenomena occurring at the sample surface during irradiation, results are presented on the surface structure, chemical and phase contaminations, and service properties modifications. HPPIB treatment is shown to increase the following characteristics of gas turbine engine compressor blades from refractory alloys: (1) the fatigue strength (30–200%); (2) the oxidation resistance (2–3 times); and (3) the salt corrosion resistance (6–8 times). Tests performed on Russian engines have confirmed the improvement of the material behaviour.