Ni3Al base alloy was irradiated by intense pulsed ion beam (IPIB) with 250 kV acceleration voltage, 100-200 A/cm(2) Current density and 60 ns pulse duration. The surface morphology and the cross-section microstructures were observed with SEM, and the compositions were characterized by XEDS. The results showed that the appearance of craters induced by irradiation is one of the major factors affecting the irradiated surface roughness; irradiation leads to composition changes on the surface of IC6 alloy and may improve mechanical properties of IC6 alloy. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.