Formation of Gradient Metalloceramic Materials Using Electron-Beam Irradiation in the Forevacuum

Abstract

Results of using an electron beam formed by a forevacuum plasma electron source to sinter metalloceramic materials in powder form are reported. As the materials to be sintered, we used mixtures of titanium powder and an aluminum-oxide or zirconium-oxide based ceramic powder. Sintering was performed using a narrowly focused beam directed onto the surface of the metalloceramic powder. It has been shown that using a mixture of finely dispersed zirconium dioxide or aluminum oxide powder with titanium allows one, by using the electron-beam method in the forevacuum pressure region, to obtain a metalloceramic sample with a titanium concentration gradient over the volume of the sample.