Formation of compositions by implantation in iron

Abstract

The phase composition of iron surfaces after bombardment with doses from 1.10¹⁶ boron ions cm⁻² to 1.10¹⁸ boroh ions cm⁻² is investigated by high-voltage electron microscopy and selected area diffraction. The microstructure of iron boride phases formed as a result of boron bombardment is examined in dependence on the implanted doses and temperature. The implantation of boron in iron leads to amorphous iron boride, to metastable crystalline compositions Fe₃B and Fe₄B and to stable crystalline Fe₂B.

The formation of compositions by ion implantation and the kinetics of the amorphous to metastable crystalline and of the metastable to the stable crystalline transformation is discussed.