The effects of electron beam surface melting on a high strength Ni-Cr-Mo-V steel are first described with particular reference to the refined microstructure and the increased surface hardness. Similar experiments on an Fe80P13C7 alloy are described, in which surface amorphous layers were produced leading to hardnesses around 910VPN at the surface up to 1250VPN further in and falling to 650VPN in the as-cast crystalline substrate.

Metallic glass cladding of the steel was achieved by coating the steel surface with thin layers of powdered Fe80P13C7 alloy, and traversing with an electron beam sufficient to fuse the powder layer. Process variables including beam power and thickness of powder layer were examined and optimum conditions for glass formation in the surface layer were determined. These layers were examined by optical and electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The microhardness variation with distance from the surface was also determined and found to be in the range 880–1150VPN.