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.
Issue Section:
Technical Papers
1.
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2.
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Conrad
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Elmer
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Seltzer
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Seltzer
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.8.
Spencer, L. V., 1959, “Energy Dissipation by Fast Electrons,” NBS Monograph 1, National Bureau of Standards.
9.
Berger, M. J., and Seltzer, S. M., 1969, “RSIC Computer Code Collection, ETRAN Monte Carlo Code System for Electron and Photon Transport Through Extended Media,” CCC-107, Radiation Shielding Information Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
10.
Tabata
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, Ito
, R.
, and Tsukui
, S.
, 1992
, “RSIC Computer Code Collection, Semiemperical Algorithms for Dose Evaluation in Electron-Beam Processing
,” CCC-430, Radiation Shielding Information Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Also appeared in Radiat. Phys. Chem.
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Berger, M. J., and Seltzer, S. M., 1964, “Tables of Energy Losses and Ranges of Electrons and Positrons,” NASA SP 3012, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
12.
Zenker
, R.
, and Mu¨ller
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,” Heat Treat. Met.
, 15
, Apr., pp. 79
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.13.
Carslaw, H. S., and Jaeger, J. C., 1959, Conduction of Heat in Solids, 2nd ed., Oxford, p. 80.
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