Powder modification under influence of heat, electric field and particle irradiation

Influence of heat, electric field and particle irradiation of powders of boron and tungsten are presented and discussed in the paper. It is shown that the particles of both powders are emitted from their surface when electric field applied normally to the powder surface exceeds some minimal magnitude. Simultaneous influence of electric field and irradiation by hydrogen- and argon plasma ions or by hydrogen atoms activates particle emission at the temperatures <1300 K. Hydrogen- and argon plasma ion irradiation in the temperature range 1300–1800 K stimulates a succession of powder modifications with the increase of powder temperature and power of ion irradiation. Driving forces and processes of powder modifications were found to be electric field forces, irradiation enhanced diffusion, interatomic forces, surface tension, sputtering by ion irradiation and ion induced stresses in the newly formed uniform layers