Titanium and zirconium nitridation under the action of microsecond pulsed TEA CO₂laser radiation in technical nitrogen

The nitridation of the surface of titanium and zirconium samples was brought about by a powerful, microsecond pulsed TEA CO 2 laser irradiation in an atmosphere of technical nitrogen. A breakdown plasma was ignited and developed under the action of every incident laser pulse in the vicinity of the surface of the irradiated samples. There is evidence of strong competition between nitridation and oxidation brought about by the action of the breakdown plasma.