Effect of Electron-Plasma Treatment on the Microstructure of Al-11wt%Si Alloy

Abstract The analysis of structure, defect substructure, elemental and phase compounds and friction properties of Al-11wt%Si alloy surface layer of subjected to complex treatment was carried out by methods of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Complex treatment includes the electroexplosion influence by Al-Y2O3 compound and subsequent electron beam irradiation. The surface layer ≈ 80 μm thick is formed by high-velocity crystallization cells of 0.8-1.3 μm in dimension. Interlayers 50–75 nm thick located along the cells of high-velocity crystallization are enriched by atoms of silicon and yttrium. Complex surface treatment leads to the increase by 18 times in wear resistance and decrease by 1.6 times in the friction factor of the modified layer.