The phase composition of the passive layer on iron

The passivation of steel in sodium sulphate solution studied by CEMS and aes

The passive layer formed on standard steel by anodic oxidation in 0.5 M sodium sulphate solution was found to contain iron only in the trivalent state. The thickness of the layer increases with the applied potential as well as with the time the passivating potential is applied to the sample. These results, compared with the electrochemical data, lead to the suggestion that the passive behaviour is not due to the whole oxidic layer but due to a thin, low lying interfacial layer with a structural disorder.

Zerstörungsfreie Phasenanalyse dünner Oberflächenschichten mittels Konversionselektronen

By use of an appropriate gamma radiation, conversion electrons may be produced by Mossbauer effect also in a depth below the sample surface deeper than the free path for inelastic electron scattering. Because the Mossbauer spectrum of the conversion electrons reflects the local phase composition, the recording of all electrons escaping from the surface allows an integral phase analysis of a layer of some 10–100 nm thickness. If only electrons within a narrow range of energy are recorded, a depth selective phase analysis is possible. The applicability of these two techniques of conversion electron spectroscopy is demonstrated by a few examples concerning oxidation and passivation of steel. C…

57Fe and119Sn Mössbauer investigations on some substituted barium hexaferrites

57Fe and119Sn Mossbauer measurements have been carried out on powder samples of three differently substituted M-type barium hexaferrites. By57Fe Mossbauer measurements in an external magnetic field applied parallel to the γ-ray direction, we found a canted spin structure for all samples. Furthermore, we detected a strong preference of the Sn4+ ions for the 4f2 sites. From57Fe Mossbauer measurements aboveT N, we conclude that the substitution does not influence the 2b sites. The analysis of the magnetically split119Sn Mossbauer spectra at room temperature in the case of the Co-Sn and Zn-Sn substituted samples shows a strong difference between the two. The spectra were interpreted due to the …

A CEMS/AES study of the passivation of iron

The passivation of iron and steel (DIN 1623) was studied by integral and depth selective conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Thickness and phase composition of the passive layer formed in sulphate solution and in a phosphate buffer were determined in dependence on the anodic potential and the duration of the passivating procedure. The experimental results lead to the conclusion that not the whole oxidic layer is responsible for the passivity but only a very thin intermediate layer formed between the cubic substrate and the rhombic oxide (γ-FeOOH) cover.

Poster contributions

A CEMS-study of the passive layer on iron and steel

From AES, ICEMS, and DCEMS experiments it was concluded that the passive layer formed on steel in a phosphate buffer consists of γ-FeOOH. Its thickness increases from 0.5 to 3.5 nm throughout the passive region. It is covered by noncorrelated layers of a precipitate and an adsorbate.

Anodic layers formed on steel in phosphate buffer solution

In-situ gamma scattering and ex-situ conversion electron Mossbauer, and Auger spectroscopy were applied to investigate anodic layers on steel. Samples treated in the active potential range in phosphate buffer solution show a Fe(II)-phosphate deposit on the surface. After treatment in the passive potential region, only Fe3+was found to exist in the oxide layer. The passive layer does not consist of stoichiometric oxidic phases.