ION-BEAM PROCESSING OF METAL-SURFACES FOR IMPROVED CORROSION-RESISTANCE

Ion beam techniques such as ion implantation, ion beam mixing, and ion beam assisted deposition allow modification of metal surfaces for improved corrosion resistance. The corrosion process can be altered by modifying either the anodic or cathodic process, by modifying the passive film, or by using corrosion resistant coatings. Examples are given of each approach. These are, in turn, implantation of various ions into aluminum to improve the resistance to pitting, ion implantation or ion beam mixing of palladium into titanium to increase the corrosion resistance in acids, implantation to form amorphous surface alloys, and the use of ion beam deposition to form protective films of tantalum oxide or silicon nitride on aluminum.