Corrosion resistance to the uranium metal improved by ion beam assisted deposition

Surface optimization technology with ion implantation and ion beam assisted deposition are used to proceed uranium metal. Distribution with niobium are analyzed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). After ion implantation and ion beam assisted deposition, the corrosion rate measured by electrochemical polarization becomes less than 4% and 1.3%, respectively. The modified surface layer by ion beam assisted deposition with niobium on the depleted uranium appears thicker than by ion implanted. Mechanisms of improvement of corrosion resistance abilities is also discussed