The use of ion beams for the modification of the structure and properties of the near-surface region of ceramics began in earnest in the early 19805. Since the mechanical properties of such materials are dominated by surface flaws and the surface stress state, the use of surface modification tech niques would appear to be an obvious application. As is often the case in research and development, most of the initial studies can be characterized as cataloging the response of various ceramic materials to a range of ion beam treatments. The systematic study of material and ion beam parameters is...