Effect of Fe and Zr Ion Implantation and High-Current Electron Beam Treatment on Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Ti–V–Al Alloy

Using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, nuclear elastic resonance analysis, atomic force microscopy, and wear resistance and microhardness tests, the alloy Ti41–V41–Al18 was investigated after Fe ion (60 kV) and Zr (40 kV) ion implantation and subsequent high-current electron beam (HCEB) irradiation at an energy flow density of 6 J/cm2, called duplex treatment. Profiles show that the maximum concentration of Fe ions was 16.5 at.% at 85 nm from the sample surface and that of Zr ions was 0.85 at.% at 56 nm. The maximum of the Fe concentration profile was found to shift to the larger sample depth toward the inward after increasing the implantation dose. After double implantation, the dry friction wear and the friction coefficient decreased. After the duplex treatment, the thickness of the hardened layer and the wear resistance increased.