Strengthening mechanisms of surface and near-surface layers in ion implanted metals

The modern state of investigations on improving mechanical properties of metals and steels by ion treatment is analyzed. Some possible mechanisms for strengthening of surface and near-surface layers are considered. it is shown that in the nitrogen and carbon ion implantation in metals and steels some preference is given to the next three mechanisms: solid-solution strengthening by implantation impurities, strengthening when appearing of some quantities or layers of the second phase and the structural-phase strengthening