| The present study is concerned with TiN/carbon steel functionally gradient materials (FGM) processed by an irradiation of high-energy electron beam. The mixtures of TiN powders and flux were deposited on a plain carbon steel plate, and were irradiated using an electron accelerator. The microstructures of the irradiated surface layers were examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Residual pores, TiN powder agglomerates, and interior quench cracks were found in the sample processed without flux, whereas these defects were hardly observed in the samples processed with a considerable amount of flux. As a result of irradiation, the Ti content decreased along the depth from the irradiated surface, thereby yielding the characteristics of FGM. The hardness of the irradiated surface layer was greatly improved, which is associated with the microstructural modification including the formation of fine cuboidal Ti (C,N) particles. |
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