Ion-beam mixing of ceramic alloys: preparation and mechanical properties

Techniques used to produce unique states of pure metals mixed into ceramic materials are presented. The samples were prepared by irradiating a 1-MeV Fe+ beam on Al2O3 crystal surfaces over which a thin chromium or zirconium film had been evaporated. The limitations of using noble gas ion beams are noted. Micro Knoop hardness tests performed near the surfaces of the samples indicated a significant increase in the hardness of most samples prepared by ion beam mixing