Modifications of optical properties of PC/ABS by dual ions beam irradiation

Polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile butadien styrene (ABS) blends used in the inner parts of automobiles require a glossy and metallic colored optical property. Such a surface can be produced by ion beam irradiation, but the surface treated by a single ion species irradiation tends to be degraded upon a long term exposure under UV and visible lights, which includes the loss of glossiness and the delamination of the irradiated layer. Such degradations can be prevented or greatly reduced by a combined irradiation of heavy and light ions such as N and He ions. This may be attributable to a graded interface between the irradiation affected layer and the base materials by overlapping penetration depths of the heavy and light ions. This work is motivated by an effort to substitute the conventional Cr plating process with the ion beam process in the automobile industry.