Surface nanostructure and amorphous state of a low carbon steel induced by high-current pulsed electron beam

The structure and phase transformations in the near-surface layers of a low carbon steel (0.2 wt.% C) subjected to a high-current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) treatments have been investigated by using electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The high-current electron beam is characterized by low energy (20-30 keV), short pulse (3.5 μs), and high energy density (1.5-4 J cm−2). A nanostructure consisting of cementite and C-supersaturated austenite is formed in the near-surface region after multiple bombardments. More bombardments even lead to vetrification.