Radiation-enhanced diffusion as a coating method for protection against corrosion and wear

The inward diffusion is investigated of thin calcium and tin layers, evaporated on the surface of iron substrates, by means of defects created during bombardment with energetic N+ ions. The process, called radiation-enhanced diffusion, provides an adherent, interface-free coating of the surface which is shown to modify its behaviour against high temperature oxidation and wear. The physicochemical structure of the coated surfaces is investigated and a tentative interpretation is given for the improvements observed on the oxidation and wear performances of pure iron.