Synthesis of fullerites in steel under action of low-pressure arc discharge with graphite anode

The chemical and thermal effects of low-pressure arc discharge with graphite anode in nitrogen on the near-surface layer of a low-carbon (St3 grade) structural steel have been studied. The elemental and phase compositions of the arc-discharge-modified surface layer have been determined by the Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Fullerites (C₆₀, C₇₀) and a considerable amount of Fe_nC carbides have been found in addition to a high fraction of an amorphous phase with a complex elemental composition. At the same time, graphite and austenite, which are characteristic of the thermodynamic equilibrium process in the Fe-C system with high carbon content, are completely absent in arc-discharge-treated steel.