Selective surface purification via crater eruption under pulsed electron beam irradiation

Abstract

This letter reports an interesting phenomenon associated with the high-current pulsed electron beam treatment:selective surface purification. The treatment induces crater eruptions that preferentially occur at irregular composition and structure sites. The eruptions of second phase inclusions naturally lead to the purification and homogenization of the melted surface layer. This improves significantly the corrosion resistance of NiTi and 316L alloys.