The electron beam formed between a conformal plasma cathode and a metal workpiece can be used to heat treat the workpiece. Analyses of the electron energy deposition profiles, heat conduction rates, and austinitizing rates show that it is possible to heat the entire surface of an object to a depth of ∼1 mm within microseconds, to hold the temperature above the austinitizing critical point in the near-surface volume without melting the surface for milliseconds, and to self-quench rapidly. This leads to the prospect of surface hardening of metals by a conformal electron beam.

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