The study, led by Professor Toshihiko Yoshimura and his colleagues Dr. Shintaro Yamamoto and Hayato Watanabe from Sanyo-Onoda City University, Japan, represents a significant leap in the field of metal processing. Published in the journal “Results in Materials,” this research introduces an innovative metalworking technique, Positron and Laser Assisted Magnetic Energy Intensive Multifunction Cavitation (PLMEI-MFC), significantly advancing the treatment of SCM440 Cr–Mo steel.
The method uses a narrow nozzle to create water jet cavitation bubbles, followed by ultrasonication in a magnetic field. These cavitation clouds are then irradiated with laser beams, including ultraviolet light, enhancing their impact on the steel. The integration of positron irradiation into this process is a game-changer, as it greatly enhances the steel’s surface strength.