Abstract :
Thin layer activation is being used by industry for measurements of wear, erosion and corrosion. Such an activation is produced by bombardment with charged particles. The total activity level can be accurately monitored and if the activity to depth relation-ship is known, the amount of material worn away can thus be determined. By bombarding a given material with protons, deuterons, 3He, 4He, different radioactive species can be produced. Active layers can be obtained in a variety of materials such as iron, copper, chromium, titanium. The total activity level is weak, from 5 to 100 Ci but it will allow to use this technique in accordance to standard "Radioactive Substances regulations" for industry. The active layer varies from 10 to 1000 m, the activated area from some square millimeters to 2 squares centimeters and the sample can stand still or be rotated or translated to get a band of activity. Total or worn away activity is measured. The irradiations are made with the Orleans Cyclotron and the development and applications at Saclay Laboratory. Exemples of uses in mechanical engineering in the french automobile or nuclear industry are given. These exemples concern: - titanium carbide deposits on steel, - chromium plated piston rings - disk brakes, - reducer gears, - shear cutting tools for irradiated fuel elements, - components of reprocessing dissolution tanks (stainless steel and zirconium).
