Influence of minor alloying elements on the initial stages of oxidation of austenitic stainless steel materials

• Published in: Surface and interface analysis 2008-08, Vol.40 (8), p.1149-1156
• Main Authors: Jussila, P., Lahtonen, K., Lampimäki, M., Hirsimäki, M., Valden, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Composition; defects and impurities; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electron and ion emission by liquids and solids; impact phenomena; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Oxidation; photoelectron spectroscopy; Photoemission and photoelectron spectra; Physics; Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces; stainless steel; Structure and morphology; thickness; surface segregation; Surface treatments; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Thin film structure and morphology
• ISSN: 0142-2421; 1096-9918
• DOI: 10.1002/sia.2855

Surface oxidation of Fe‐19Cr‐17Ni, Fe‐19Cr‐18Ni‐1Al and TiC‐enriched Fe‐19Cr‐18Ni‐1Al alloys was investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). The experiments were conducted at 323 K in pure O2 (2.7 × 10−6 mbar). Composition and morphology of the nanoscale surface oxides were determined quantitatively by inelastic electron background analysis. Moreover, use of synchrotron radiation facilities were necessary to obtain improved sensitivity for studying minor alloying elements such as Al and Si. The results indicate oxygen‐induced segregation of Al, which significantly hinders the oxidation of the major alloying elements Fe and Cr. Ti remains in its inert carbide form. The relative concentration of Fe within the oxide layer was found to increase with the oxide‐layer thickness, indicating greater mobility of Fe relative to other alloying elements. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.