Metallurgical applications of ion implantation

Ion implantation can be used to produce atomic mixtures of controlled composition, independent of thermodynamic constraints, and to introduce lattice damage at rates exceeding 1 dpa/sec. These unique capabilities are being exploited for the study of intermetallic alloys in two different temperature regimes. At lower temperatures, where atomic mobilities are nil, the technique is being used to investigate new metastable phases. These have included substitutional solid solutions of immiscible elements, amorphous alloys, and improved superconductors of nonequilibrium compositions. At higher temperatures, where appreciable atomic diffusion occurs over experimental times, implantation is being employed to study equilibrium alloys. Previously unavailable information about phase diagrams and diffusion rates has been obtained at much lower temperatures and in complex alloy systems