Helium atoms were implanted into niobium-doped tungsten and pure tungsten via ion implantation, and the effect of helium implantation on mechanical properties of two types of sample was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and nano-hardness tester. The results clearly show that the surface hardness and elastic modulus of tungsten are improved by implanted niobium ions, and the degradation of mechanical properties is mitigated comparing to pure tungsten under identical helium implantation fluence. It can be concluded that the defects induced by niobium implantation improved the mechanical properties of tungsten by obstructing the slip of dislocation.
