| Issue |
J. Phys. IV France
Volume 123, March 2005
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 105 - 110 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:2005123017 | |
J. Phys. IV France 123 (2005) 105-110
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:2005123017
A study of impurity segregation to the surface of an austenitic stainless steel using Auger electron spectroscopy
R. Louahdi1, V. Hayes2, R. Marchand2 and G. Saindrenan21 Département d'Optique, Faculté des Sciences de l'Ingénieur, Université Ferhat Abbes, Sétif 19000, Algérie
2 École Polytechnique de l'Université de Nantes, Rue Christian Pauc-La Chantrerie, BP. 50609, 44306 Nantes Cedex 3, France
Abstract
The object of this work is to study the segregation of elements
such as chromium, phosphorous, sulphur and nitrogen to the surface of an
austenitic stainless steel made by UGINE (France). The Investigation is
carried out by in-situ annealing inside the ultra-vacuum chamber of an Auger
electron spectrometer (AES). The specimens are initially homogenised by an
anneal at 1050 
C inside evacuated silica capsules. They are then
introduced inside the vacuum chamber of the AES where they are first of all
activated, at room temperature, by ionic bombardment and then heat treated
at various temperatures ranging from 600 C to 900 C. The results are
obtained in the form of AES spectra recorded in the differential mode. It is
found that the surface of the material undergoes alterations, some of which
are temporary and others durable. These alterations are : co-segregation of
nitrogen and chromium, segregation of sulphur and competition between
nitrogen and sulphur and between phosphorous and sulphur. The driving force
of segregation is in the following order :
.
© EDP Sciences 2005