Effect of a Intense Pulsed Carbon Ion Beam on the Morphology and Elemental Composition of the Surface Layer of a Magnesium Alloy

The effect of a powerful pulsed ion beam composed of 70% Cn+ and 30% H+ with a pulse duration of ∼100 ns on the surface topography and elemental composition of as-cast ML5 magnesium alloy was investigated. It was shown that a single ion-beam pulse produces nearly parallel bands of various shapes on the alloy surface. Exposure to two pulses leads to smoothing of the alloy surface and the almost complete disappearance of the bands. Elemental analysis of the near-surface layer of the magnesium alloy after ion-beam exposure revealed no significant changes.