Formation of Surface Nanoaustenite and Properties of 3Cr13 Steel Induced by Pulsed Electron Beam Irradiation under Melting Mode

The surface of 3Cr13 martensitic stainless steel was irradiated by high current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB). The microstructures of the irradiation surface were characterized by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. After HCPEB irradiation, formation of a melting layer with depth of about 4 μm on the irradiated surface was determined. Further microstructural investigations indicate that the surface melted layer consists of nanoaustenite and ultrafine carbide particles, which primarily appear at grain boundary triple junction. Additionally, the microhardness and corrosion resistance of the irradiated surfaces was improved significantly. The formation of the nanoaustenite layer induced by HCPEB irradiation was believed to be the dominating reasons for the improvement of comprehensive performance of the material surface.