Abstract
We have already proposed a new surface finishing process for metal molds by large-area electron beam (EB) irradiation in the previous report, and the effects of EB irradiation conditions on surface smoothing characteristics were investigated. As a result, the surface roughness could be reduced to less than 1μmRz in just a few minutes under a proper condition. Furthermore, the surface roughness of tilting surface close to 90 degree also could be well improved, which indicated that in the case of small simple shaped mold consisting of relatively small tilting surfaces, the smoothing of the whole surface is possible without moving and tilting the mold. In this paper, the surface characteristics of the EB irradiated surface were discussed by TEM observation, XRD analysis, and corrosion test. The surface structure changed by large-area EB irradiation, and consequently, the corrosion resistance of metal mold surface could be improved well.
