Comparative study of intermetallic phases formed by direct ion implantation and radiation enhanced diffusion of tin in two kinds of steel

The surface layers of high-carbon and stainless steel samples, treated by both direct ion implantation of Sn+ ions and radiation enhanced diffusion of tin, are analyzed by means of Rutherford backscattering and 119Sn and 57Fe conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy. The intermetallic phases formed in the treated surfaces are determined and their thermal evolution is established. The compositions and phase transformations observed in the surfaces of the samples treated by both direct ion implantation and radiation-enhanced diffusion are very similar, and this similarity indicates that these two treatment processes are essentially equivalent for practical applications.