Metalurgija (Apr 2008)
Oxide and nitride protective layers formed on stainless steel by thermal treatment: SEM, AES, WDS and corrosion measurements
Abstract
Protective oxide and/or nitride layers on AISI 321 stainless steel were prepared by thermal treatment in air and two controlled atmospheres in a laboratory simulation of an actual technological procedure. Samples’ surface was imaged by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), elemental composition of the substrates was checked by Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS) and depth profiles of the samples were measured by Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). Since protective layer thicknesses were found to be of the order of hundreds of nanometers an attempt was made to obtain some fast averaged information about layers composition by Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS) with appropriately adjusted primary beam energy. Electrochemical corrosion testing was also performed on samples.
