Using ion modification methods for targeted change of strength properties of near-surface layers of composite ceramics

The use of ionic modification methods is one of the promising methods of directed change of strength properties of near-surface layers of materials along with such methods as magnetron sputtering and mechanically induced deformation. Interest in this area of research is primarily due to the possibility of enhanced resistance of materials to external mechanical and thermal influences, as well as improved wear resistance of refractory ceramics, which have great prospects in industrial use and metallurgy and reactor building. This paper presents the assessment results of the possibility of using the ion modification method by irradiating the near-surface layer of ZrO2 – Al2O3 ceramics with low-energy Kr15+ and Xe22+ ions with energies of 300 and 440 keV to create a radiation-modified layer in the surface layer that is highly resistant to external influences. During the studies, it was found that irradiation with fluences of 1014 - 5×1014 ion/cm2 for Xe22+ ions and 1015 ion/cm2 for Kr15+ ions are optimal conditions for modifying the surface layer, as a result of which growth in wear resistance by 2.0 – 2.5 times and hardening by more than 15 – 20 % is observed compared to non-irradiated ceramics.