Elemental composition of the surface layer of a heat-resistant nickel alloy doped with zirconium atoms under the action of compression plasma flows

The element distribution over the surface layer in a heat-resistant nickel alloy, which is doped with zirconium under the action of compression plasma flows generated by a compact magnetoplasma compressor, is investigated. An analysis is performed using the helium ion backscattering method (the ion energy is 6MeV) and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. It is established that the doping element concentration decreases due to an increase in the absorbed-energy density and the number of pulses. The segregation of zirconium atoms is observed in the surface layer with a thickness determined by the conditions of the action. This process is related mainly to the formation of zirconium oxide (oxynitride).