Structural–Phase State of a Surface of Electron-Beam Treatment of a Steel Subjected to Electroexplosive Aluminizing

— Steel 45 surface is aluminized by electroexplosive alloying. The aluminized surface is treated by an electron beam. The structure and mechanical properties of the surface layer are studied. The electroexplosive is shown to lead to the formation of a high-porous coating on the steel surface. The subsequent electron-beam treatment in a mode of melting the surface layer is accompanied by the formation of a smooth surface, the increase in the microhardness in a layer thickness of 45–50 µm by a factor of 3.5 as compared to that of the initial material. The physical nature of the increase in the strength properties of a steel surface layer is explained.