Influence of Plasma-Immersion Titanium-Ion Implantation on the Kinetics of Hydrogen Penetration into E110 Zirconium Alloy

The influence of plasma-immersion titanium-ion implantation on the hydrogen saturation of E110 zirconium alloy is described. Titanium ions are implanted from the metal plasma of an arc discharge at an accelerating-pulse bias potential of 1.5 kV (the pulse-repetition frequency is 100 kHz, and the pulse length is 5 μs) for 30 min. The phase composition, morphology, and valence state of the alloy surface layer are studied. Comparative analysis of changes in the hardness and wear resistance of the alloy subjected to implantation is performed. It is demonstrated that the rate of hydrogen penetration into the surface-doped alloy decreases substantially at a gas-phase hydrogenation temperature of 400°C.