Evolution of the Structure and Properties of AK10M2N Silumin under Irradiation with a High-Intensity Pulsed Electron Beam

Abstract

The structure of cast AK10M2N silumin has been studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrate that the silumin is a multiphase material containing silicon and intermetallic inclusions. Irradiation of silumin with a high-intensity electron beam has been shown to be accompanied by melting of the surface layer, dissolution of the silicon and intermetallic inclusions, formation of a cellular crystallization structure, and secondary precipitation of submicron- and nanometer-sized second-phase particles. Dispersion of the structure of the surface layer is accompanied by an improvement of the mechanical properties of the silumin.