Surface modification/alloying using intense pulsed electron beam as a tool for improving the corrosion resistance of steels exposed to heavy liquid metals

The alloying of steel surface with aluminum (Al) using Microsecond-pulsed Intense Electron Beams (MIEB-Al) was developed and optimized in order to be used for improving the corrosion resistance of the 316, 1.4970 and T91 steels, exposed to liquid Pb and Pb–Bi-eutectic. The procedure consists in two steps: (i) coating the steel surface with Al or an Al-containing alloy layer and (ii) melting the coating layer and the steel surface layer using intense pulsed electron beam. In order to cover the steel surface with an homogeneous and crack-free Al-alloyed layer, the following experimental conditions are required: Al coating thickness range 5–10 μm, electron kinetic energy 120 keV; pulse duration 30 μs; energy density 40–45 J/cm2; number of pulses 2–3.Using the mentioned procedure, the corrosion resistance of the 316, T91 and 1.4970 steels, exposed to Pb and Pb–Bi-eutectic with different oxygen concentrations and under different temperatures, was considerably improved due to the formation of a thin alumina layer (which thickness is lower than 1 μm for all the tested temperatures and durations) acting as an anti-corrosion barrier.