The research conducted in the present paper is part of a comprehensive study to innovate a method of surface treatment for some metallic powder materials with alternative energy sources to lasers and electron beams (i.e. with gas-discharge lamp (GDL)), typically used as sources of optical pumping for the lasers, having a solid active element. The radiant energy sources used for study are composed of a GDL and the high voltage power supply consists of a block of high-capacity capacitors. The materials were selected from the Fe-Cu-C grade, with a carbon content between 0.5 to 0.72%, and the measurements were made on microscopes with electron beam scanning. Configurational modifications of a surface layer of approximatively 30-35 im, characteristic for Fe-C-Cu alloys, containing nearly 0.7% C (pearlite, ferrite and cementite) are highlighted by the microscopic examinations. At the surface level, the energy flux created by the lamp in the visible spectrum, generates pressure, determining elongation of the surface layer pores, under optical action, resulting an effect comparable to plastic deformation by induration or compaction through mechanical actions. The results obtained highlight the potential of this class of materials to surface treatments and the options for the energy sources used.
Influence of self-reflected radiation on plasma characteristics gas-discharge lamp
