Strengthening Analysis of Ni-Sn Alloy Layer by Double Alloying Method Combined with First-Principles Calculation

Surface modification improves the performance of materials in practical applications. In this paper, mechanical alloying pretreatment is adopted. Advanced non-equilibrium processing of a high-current pulse electron beam is then used to obtain an Sn-rich Ni-Sn alloy layer, characterized by a higher surface hardness than the initial pure nickel layer. In addition, the atomic structure of the Sn-doped nickel substrate in the alloy layer is simulated, and the improvement of the alloy layer is analyzed based on the first principle. Mechanical alloying and electron beam irradiation form fine and even nanocrystals on the surface of the nickel. Sn doping is also important for enlarging the lattice and increasing the stress.