Mechanisms for modification of carbon steels under the action of a high-energy, high-current electron beam

Abstract

This paper considers mechanisms for the modification of thin and bulky carbon-steel targets under the action of a high-energy, high-current electron beam (HEHCEB). It has been shown that the material residing in the heat-affected zone (HAZ), in the stress-wave reflection zones, and in the stress-wave superposition zones is highly modified. The modification of the material in the HAZ is purely thermal in nature, while the material in the stress-wave reflection and stress-wave superposition zones is modified by the strain-stress-wave mechanism. The positions of the HAZ and of the stress-wave reflection and stress-wave superposition zones can be estimated with adequate accuracy, in terms of the uncoupled thermoelasticity model. The model predictions are compared with experimental data on the hardening of thin targets on simultaneous two-sided HEHCEB irradiation and on the hardening of thin and bulky targets on one-sided irradiation.