**Abstract**

As a study result of irradiation-induced damage, various mathematical models have been developed to explain the phenomenon of irradiation-induced surface sputtering, these models are currently used in technological fields as diverse as materials characterization and in thin film deposition used in the manufacture of electronic or medical components. However, the phenomenon is not fully understood due to its high complexity, this work has the goal to present experimental evidence of the changes induced in the surface of hypereutectic alloy Ni-22% at Si promoted by the nickel ion beam irradiation, the surface changes induced will be explained in terms of the Sigmund theory of surface sputtering.

**Keywords:** ion beam irradiation, sputtering yield, surface microstructure, preferential sputtering, chemical and geometrical sputtering
