Effects of xe post-bombardment on carbonitrides produced in a low-carbon nitrogen-implanted steel

Abstract

The effects of Xe bombardment on carbonitrides produced by N implantation in a low-carbon steel are studied via conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy and nuclear reaction analysis. The results show two main features: dissolution and reprecipitation of the produced carbonitrides and modification of the thermal behavior of the precipitates. Recently we have performed similar experiments bombarding samples of the same steel with He and Ar. Comparison of the experiments shows that irradiation with Ar ions provides the best retention of carbonitrides at 450 °C. On the other hand, irradiation with Xe ions to the same dpa level is most effective in producing the dissolution and reprecipitation process.