Combined electron-ion-plasma doping of a titanium surface with yttrium: Analyzing structure and properties

A titanium surface layer is modified with yttrium by combining electroexplosive doping and high-intensity electron-beam irradiation. The element and phase content, defect substructure, and mechanical and tribological characteristics are investigated for the doped layer. Saturating the surface titanium layer with yttrium, oxygen, and carbon atoms is shown to produce a metalloceramic layer reinforced with oxides and titanium and yttrium carbides that results in a multifold increase in microhardness and reduces the friction coefficient and wear rate in the modified layer.