EFFECT OF RHENIUM COATINGS ON THE MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF MOLYBDENUM WIRES

The dependence of the mechanical properties of rhenium-coated, commercially pure molybdenum wires 1 mm in diameter on the rhenium coating thickness w = 0.4-4.2 mu m was studied. The coatings were deposited by vacuum electron beam evaporation with simultaneous Ar ion irradiation (ion-beam-assisted deposition method). The increases in elasticity limit sigma(e) and yield stress sigma(0.2%) due to the coating were found to be about 28% and 12% in comparison with uncoated wire. Maximal property increments occur when the ratio of coating thickness to wire diameter is w/d = 0.001-0.002. Fractographic features were investigated by means of multifractal analysis.