Investigation of Oxide Thickness on Technical Aluminium Alloys—A Comparison of Characterization Methods

Abstract

In this study the oxide layer of technical 6xxx aluminium surfaces, pickled as well as passivated, were comparatively investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Auger electron and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AES, XPS), the latter in two different operating modes, standard and angle resolved mode. In addition, confocal microscopy and focused ion beam cutting were used for structural studies of the surfaces and for specimen preparation. The results illustrate in detail the strengths and weaknesses of each measurement technique. TEM offers a direct way to reliably quantify the thickness of the oxide layer, which is in the range of 5 nm, however, on a laterally restricted area of the surface. In comparison, for AES, the destructiveness of the electron beam did not allow to achieve comparable results for the thickness determination. XPS was proven to be the most reliable method to reproducibly quantify the average oxide thickness. By evaluating the angle resolved XPS data, additional information on the average depth distribution of the individual elements on the surface could be obtained. The findings obtained in this study were then successfully used for the investigation of the increase in the aluminium oxide thickness on technical samples during an aging test of 12 months under standard storage conditions.

pH Sensing for Early Detection of Septic Inflammation Based on Intrinsic Titanium β-Alloy Nanotubular Oxides

“…Data for chemical state evaluation were obtained from the NIST X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy database [23]. The calculation of the oxide layer thickness is based on the free flight path of the electron between two inelastic collisions [24,25]. These calculated thicknesses are only approximate, only pure oxides were considered in the calculations, which, however, are not present in the examined samples; here, they are always mixtures.…”

A Critical Review of Anti-Corrosion Chemical Surface Treatment of Aluminum Alloys Used for Sports Equipment

“…In addition, ADC12 aluminum alloys, as cast aluminum alloys, contain the main alloying components of 9.6-12 wt.% Si and 1.5-3.5 wt.% Cu. These cast aluminum alloys with good formability are employed as the racket joint [9][10][11].…”

Influence of Dry-Film Lubricants on Bond Strength and Corrosion Behaviour of 6xxx Aluminium Alloy Adhesive Joints for the Automotive Industry

“…These occur at the interface between the adhesive and the adherend and are caused by humid and corrosive environments [9,10]. But not only do environmental influences affect the long-life durability of bonded joints [11,12], other influencing factors, including contamination of the metal sheet surface or the lubricant load quantity, have an impact on the corrosion resistance of adhered joints [13,14].…”