Pulsed Electron Beam Irradiation Research Articles

The refined microstructure and enhanced properties of the Al-Mo laser-alloyed layer after high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation

The aim of this study is to investigate the microstructure and properties of the AlMo laser-alloyed layer induced by high-current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) irradiation. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were utilized to investigate the microstructures of the modified layer. The microhardness and friction properties were also measured. The microstructural observation shows that HCPEB irradiation led to the formation of a modified layer approximately a dozen microns thick, which was the absence of the pores. It was found that the flower- and strip-like AlMo particles were dissolved to form nano-size particles consisting of Al5Mo (h2), Al12Mo, and Al17Mo4 phase after HCPEB irradiation. Additionally, the slip bands and high-density dislocations were formed in the modified layer. The refined microstructure significantly enhanced the microhardness of the laser-alloyed layer. A quantitative evaluation was conducted to investigate the individual contributions of four strengthening mechanisms to the strength of the modified layer, which indicated that dislocation and grain boundary strengthening were dominant. The results of sliding wear tests show that the modified layer exhibited superior properties compared to the laser alloying layer, which was attributed to the formation of crystal defects, solid solutions, and nanoparticles.

Mechanisms of deformation induced by high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation

AA2024 aluminum alloy was irradiated by a high-current pulsed electron beam with the following parameters: beam energy ∼0.3 MeV, current ∼2000A, pulse duration ∼5·10−6 s, beam diameter ∼3 cm. The thickness of the surface remelted layer reached 100 μm. Dynamic thermal stresses caused by irradiation, induced the development of deformation processes in the irradiated layer. Based on the study of surface morphology and structural state of the remelted layer, it was shown that deformation processes occur in the surface layer by the grain boundary sliding mechanism. The level of residual stresses in the irradiated layer was low and amounted to 34 MPa.

Microstructures and improved properties of Cu–Mo alloys induced by high current pulsed electron beam irradiation

In this paper, a Cu–Mo alloying layer with improved properties was fabricated by high current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) irradiation. The microstructure of the modified layer was investigated by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The microhardness and friction properties were also measured. After HCPEB irradiation, nano Mo particles, solid solution, and long-period superlattice structures were generated on the surface of Cu–Mo alloys, together with the formation of defect structures. These microstructures led to a significant increase in the surface hardness. The results of sliding wear tests indicated that the HCPEB-irradiated samples exhibited better properties compared with the initial one, which was attributed to the ultrafine Mo particles and the hardened surface.

Hot corrosion behavior of NiCoCrAlYSi laser cladding coating modified using high-current pulsed electron beam in different corrosive salt environments

The investigation focused on microstructural changes and hot corrosion behavior in various salt environments (Na2SO4 + 25 wt% K2SO4 and Na2SO4 + 25 wt% NaCl) at 900 °C of NiCoCrAlYSi laser cladding coatings before and after high-current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) irradiation. HCPEB treatment effectively eliminated imperfections like micropores and segregation of the components, creating a remelted layer with high-density dislocations and nanostructure. The irradiated impacts including polishing, purification, composition homogenization, and grain refinement facilitated the development and self-repair of a compact and tenacious oxide scale. This enhanced oxide layer effectively mitigates extensive corrosive media erosion. The utilization of HCPEB treatment has shown significant potential in enhancing the hot corrosion resistance of NiCoCrAlYSi laser claddings.

The effect of low-energy high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation on the structure, phase composition and mechanical properties of Ni3Al and Ni3Al-TiC composites

Using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, indentation and bending tests we studied the evolution of microstructure, phase composition and mechanical properties of TiC-free Ni3Al and Ni3Al-TiC composites (TiC content was 10 and 30 vol%) fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) under pressure induced by low-energy high-current pulsed electron beam (LEHCEB) irradiation with the surface energy density of 8, 12 and 18 J/cm2. It was found that the irradiation results in the improvement of phase composition of the near-surface layer by way of the increase of yield of SHS reaction. LEHCEB irradiation enables formation of nanocomposite structure in the near-surface layer of Ni3Al-TiC composites with decreased grain size of Ni3Al matrix, refined TiC particles and increased volume fraction of TiC. This structure leads to the increase of microhardness but decrease of strength under bending. Two mechanisms of TiC particles refining are suggested. The effect of surface energy density on the manifestation degree of the found phenomena is discussed. The contribution of different hardening mechanisms to the overall hardening is considered.

Improved mechanical and tribological properties of TiAlN coatings by high current pulsed electron beam irradiation

High current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) irradiation is an important surface engineering technique, which has been proved to be valid in modifying the surface microstructure and properties of various materials. In this work, HCPEB was employed to irradiate TiAlN coatings. The microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of both original and irradiated TiAlN coatings were investigated. The results showed that the surface roughness of the TiAlN coatings first increased with 5 pulses of HCPEB irradiation, and then gradually declined with a further increase in pulse numbers. Compared with the original coating, the coating irradiated by 15 pulses demonstrated superior hardness (up to 33.4 GPa) and adhesion strength (112N), excellent wear resistance (wear rate of 3.3 × 10−6 mm3/Nm) and low friction coefficient (0.37). It is believed that the grain refinement, formation of the transition zone and adjustment of residual stresses after 15 pulses of HCPEB treatment are responsible for the improvement in both mechanical and tribological properties of the TiAlN coatings. These findings might suggest the potential applications of HCPEB irradiation for surface modification and hardness improvement of hard nitride coatings.

Effect of High-Current Pulsed Electron Beam Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Multilayered TiN/TiCN/Al2O3 Coatings

Effect of High-Current Pulsed Electron Beam Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Multilayered TiN/TiCN/Al2O3 Coatings

Hot corrosion behavior of NiCoCrAlY laser cladding coating on 17-4PH stainless steel before and after high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation

In this study, we employed high-current pulsed electron beam technology (HCPEB) to modify NiCoCrAlY coatings that were created via laser cladding on 17-4PH stainless steel. We compared and analyzed the hot corrosion behavior of the coatings before and after HCPEB irradiation using a molten salt of 75 wt. %Na2SO4 + 25 wt. %NaCl at 700 °C. We also elucidated the mechanism by which irradiation affects the hot corrosion performance of the coatings. Our findings demonstrate that the irradiated coating surface exhibited a dense remelting layer, which effectively prevented erosion by oxygen and molten salt, without any internal oxidation corrosion. Moreover, irradiation refined the grains on the coating surface and increased the diffusion rate of grain boundaries. Consequently, the irradiated coating formed laminated thermal growth oxides (TGO) during the hot corrosion process, with the interface between the TGO and the coating always covered by an Al2O3 layer. This TGO structure provided excellent protection, reduced the corrosion weight gain, and corrosion rate of the coating, and significantly improved the hot corrosion performance of the coating.

Steel Surface Doped with Nb via Modulated Electron-Beam Irradiation: Structure and Properties

A niobium film on an AISI 5135 steel substrate was exposed to submillisecond pulsed electron-beam irradiation with controlled energy modulation within a pulse to increase the film–substrate adhesion. This modulated irradiation made it possible to dope the steel-surface layer with Nb through film dissolution in the layer, for which optimum irradiation conditions were chosen from experiments and a mathematical simulation. The irradiated system was tested for surface hardness and wear, and its surface structure and elemental composition were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the microhardness of the irradiated system is much higher and that its wear rate is much lower compared to the initial state.

Enhanced surface quality and properties of cold spray Al coating by high current pulsed electron beam treatment

In this paper, high current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) irradiation was employed to improve the surface density and properties of cold spray Al coating. The effects of the energy density on the microstructure, phase composition, stress, microhardness, wear, and corrosion behavior of coatings as-fabricated were investigated. HCPEB remelting treatment has improved the surface defects of cold spray coatings. The microhardness of treated coatings is higher than that of untreated coating, and the highest microhardness of the treated coatings occurs in the subsurface layer of the coatings. The wear track width and depth of the treated coating were lower than those of the untreated sample. The corrosion potential of the treated samples increases from −1.12 v to −0.95 v, and the corrosion current density reduces from 15.64 µA/cm2 to 3.31 µA/cm2. Our results demonstrated the wear and corrosion resistance of the cold spraying Al coating were dramatically improved by HCPEB irradiation.

Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of NiCoCrAlY Coatings After High-Current Pulsed Electron Beam Irradiation

In this paper, the NiCoCrAlY coating prepared by laser cladding was modified by a high-current pulsed electron beam technique. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were used to characterize the microstructure and composition of the coatings before and after irradiation, and then the changes in mechanical properties were revealed by comparing the hardness and friction properties of the two coatings. The results showed that the pulsed irradiation purified the coating surface, formed an evaporative recondensation layer and a plastic deformation layer, and produced a dense remelting layer with a thickness of 3-4 µm. The remelted layer led to an increase in the hardness of the irradiated coating and a decrease in the friction coefficient and wear. The pulsed irradiation effectively improved the mechanical properties of the coatings.

Influence of high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation on element diffusion behavior and mechanical properties of TC4/304 stainless steel diffusion bonded joints

Influence of high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation on element diffusion behavior and mechanical properties of TC4/304 stainless steel diffusion bonded joints

Microstructure and mechanical properties of NiCoCrAlY laser cladding coating after high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation

ABSTRACTSurface modification of laser cladding coating NiCoCrAlY was carried out by high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation. The microstructure of the NiCoCrAlY coating after irradiation was studied by XRD and SEM. The results showed that the NiCoCrAlY cladding layer displays slip and a nanocrystalline structure following high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation. The high-density slip structure affects the residual stress on the surface of the melted coating, resulting in a change of the phase structure. The mechanical properties of the NiCoCrAlY coating were studied using a Vickers micro-hardness tester and a straight-line-reciprocating dry sliding wear tester. The results showed the average microhardness of the melted coating increased by 9%, and the average wear coefficient decreased by 33.7% after five electron beam irradiations.

Evolution of morphology, microstructure and phase composition of zirconia thin coating on copper as a result of low energy high current pulsed electron beam irradiation

Using X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy we studied the evolution of the morphology, microstructure and phase composition in the near-surface layer of copper covered with thin (2.8 μm) ZrO2 coating induced by low-energy high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation (the surface energy density was in the interval of 5.0–18.0 J/cm2, the accelerating voltage was 30 kV, the pulse duration was 3.2 μs, the number of pulses was 10). The variation of adhesion of the coating to substrate was evaluated using scratch testing. The evaporation of the upper part of the coating during irradiation was found and the thickness of the coating nonlinearly decreased with the increase of the energy density. We discussed the reasons for the surface cracking taking into account microstructural changes in the near-surface layer of the material. The irradiation was found to transfer most of monoclinic ZrO2 phase in the as-deposited coating to tetragonal and, possibly, cubic one. The factors influencing the adhesive strength of the coating were revealed and a potential for the increase of adhesion was demonstrated. We showed that irradiation with enhanced surface energy density was required to obtain copper-based composite hardened with zirconia nanoparticles in the near-surface layer. The thickness of the composite layer may be as much as 6 μm.

Effects of WC grain size on surface hardening of WC-10Co cemented carbides by pulsed electron beam irradiation

Effects of primary WC size (DWC) in the surface enhancing of WC-Co cemented carbides by high current pulsed electron beam irradiation (HCPEBI) were studied in this work by investigating the morphological/microstructural evolution, phase transformations and the variation of microhardness of samples (Co: 10 wt %, DWC: ∼1.27 μm, ∼0.87 μm and ∼0.42 μm) treated with a range of HCPEBI shots under the energy density of 6 J/cm2. Results showed, with accumulating HCPEBI, the surface roughness of coarse-grained samples increased more significantly. The effects of DWC were more prominent in phase transformation and microstructure change under lesser irradiation. For samples with larger DWC, although the decomposition rate of WC in the top surface region was the lower, the amount of graphite precipitates prevailed overall. The maximum microhardness was also found in the irradiated coarse-grained (DWC = ∼1.27 μm) samples 3128.5 HV, showing a ∼80% increase from the initial state ∼1735.8 HV. Whereas for the fine-grained samples, surface microhardness gained a mere ∼29% increase after 35 shots.

Influence of high-current pulsed electron beam irradiation on elemental diffusion and mechanical properties of copper/316L stainless-steel bonded joints

In this paper, Cu and 316L stainless steel with abundant crystal defects are constructed on bonding surfaces using high-current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB), and direct bonding is carried out in vacuum. The bonding temperature was varied as 800 °C and 850 °C, while the bonding pressure of 5 MPa and the bonding time of 40 min was maintained. Microstructure observations revealed that the initial coarse grains of the 316L was significantly changed to fine grains with abundant crystal defects after HCPEB irradiation. After diffusion bonding, the bonded area of the initial joint is not completely joined. Comparatively, the joints pretreated by HCPEB displayed a well-bonded interface. The diffusion coefficient of Cu at interface is significantly increased as well, which is attributed to the acceleration of atomic diffusion. Bonding strength indicates that the shear strength of the joints prepared via HCPEB pretreatment is much higher than the initial joints.

Improvement of tool life via unique surface modification of a tungsten carbide tool using a large pulsed electron beam in Ti-6Al-4V machining

The surface quality of a cutting tool is an important factor for determining machinability performance. This paper proposes a new approach to improve the tool surface quality using large pulsed electron beam (LPEB) irradiation. LPEB irradiation is a process that enhances the mechanical characteristics of substrate surfaces. In this study, the effects of LPEB irradiation on a tungsten carbide tool were evaluated over the acceleration voltage range of 10 to 40 keV. Surface modification of the cutting tool was analyzed in terms of the tool's material constituents, mechanical properties, edge roundness, and surface roughness. LPEB irradiation at 30 keV modified the cobalt and carbon contents of the tool surface, thus improving hardness, compressive strength, and tool surface roughness. The machinability of the LPEB-treated cutting tool was investigated based on the tool wear by performing an orthogonal cutting experiment of Ti-6Al-4V. After treatment with 30 keV LPEB irradiation, the tool wear was reduced; specifically, the flank wear length was reduced by up to 64.6 %, compared to the untreated cutting tool. An examination of the 30 keV irradiated machined material surface and the chip morphology showed substantial reductions in the surface roughness and friction coefficient, by 56.5 % and 31.2 %, respectively, compared with the untreated condition.

Application of a novel diamond detector for commissioning of FLASH radiotherapy electron beams.

PurposeA diamond detector prototype was recently proposed by Marinelli et al. (Medical Physics 2022, https://doi.org/10.1002/mp.15473) for applications in ultrahigh‐dose‐per‐pulse (UH‐DPP) and ultrahigh‐dose‐rate (UH‐DR) beams, as used in FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH‐RT). In the present study, such so‐called flashDiamond (fD) was investigated from the dosimetric point of view, under pulsed electron beam irradiation. It was then used for the commissioning of an ElectronFlash linac (SIT S.p.A., Italy) both in conventional and UH‐DPP modalities.MethodsDetector calibration was performed in reference conditions, under 60Co and electron beam irradiation. Its response linearity was investigated in UH‐DPP conditions. For this purpose, the DPP was varied in the 1.2–11.9 Gy range, by changing either the beam applicator or the pulse duration from 1 to 4 μs. Dosimetric validation of the fD detector prototype was then performed in conventional modality, by measuring percentage depth dose (PDD) curves, beam profiles, and output factors (OFs). All such measurements were carried out in a motorized water phantom. The obtained results were compared with the ones from commercially available dosimeters, namely, a microDiamond, an Advanced Markus ionization chamber, a silicon diode detector, and EBT‐XD GAFchromic films. Finally, the fD detector was used to fully characterize the 7 and 9 MeV UH‐DPP electron beams delivered by the ElectronFlash linac. In particular, PDDs, beam profiles, and OFs were measured, for both energies and all the applicators, and compared with the ones from EBT‐XD films irradiated in the same experimental conditions.ResultsThe fD calibration coefficient resulted to be independent from the investigated beam qualities. The detector response was found to be linear in the whole investigated DPP range. A very good agreement was observed among PDDs, beam profiles, and OFs measured by the fD prototype and reference detectors, both in conventional and UH‐DPP irradiation modalities.ConclusionsThe fD detector prototype was validated from the dosimetric point of view against several commercial dosimeters in conventional beams. It was proved to be suitable in UH‐DPP and UH‐DR conditions, for which no other commercial real‐time active detector is available to date. It was shown to be a very useful tool to perform fast and reproducible beam characterizations in standard clinical motorized water phantom setups. All of the previously mentioned demonstrate the suitability of the proposed detector for the commissioning of UH‐DR linac beams for preclinical FLASH‐RT applications.

The Effect of Low-Energy Laser-Driven Ultrashort Pulsed Electron Beam Irradiation on Erythropoiesis and Oxidative Stress in Rats.

Anemia is a commonly observed consequence of whole-body exposure to a dose of X-ray or gamma irradiation of the order of the mean lethal dose in mammals, and it is an important factor for the determination of the survival of animals. The aim of this study was to unravel the effect of laser-driven ultrashort pulsed electron beam (UPEB) irradiation on the process of erythropoiesis and the redox state in the organism. Wistar rats were exposed to laser-driven UPEB irradiation, after which the level of oxidative stress and the activities of different antioxidant enzymes, as well as blood smears, bone marrow imprints and sections, erythroblastic islets, hemoglobin and hematocrit, hepatic iron, DNA, and erythropoietin levels, were assessed on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 28th days after irradiation. Despite the fact that laser-driven UPEB irradiation requires quite low doses and repetition rates to achieve the LD50 in rats, our findings suggest that whole-body exposure with this new type of irradiation causes relatively mild anemia in rats, with subsequent fast recovery up to the 28th day. Moreover, this novel type of irradiation causes highly intense processes of oxidative stress, which, despite being relatively extinguished, did not reach the physiologically stable level even at the 28th day after irradiation due to the violations in the antioxidant system of the organism.

Effect of a large pulsed electron beam (LPEB) irradiation on mechanical properties and fatigue behavior of Ti-6Al-4V

Effect of a large pulsed electron beam (LPEB) irradiation on mechanical properties and fatigue behavior of Ti-6Al-4V