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Radiofrequency GDOES, EPMA and AES analysis of zinc die casting plated with copper, duplex nickel and microporous chromium for corrosion protection
Author(s) -
Shimizu K.,
Kasahara N.,
Habazaki H.,
Skeldon P.,
Thompson G. E.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
surface and interface analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1096-9918
pISSN - 0142-2421
DOI - 10.1002/sia.1582
Subject(s) - metallurgy , materials science , impurity , zinc , nickel , chromium , corrosion , copper , microporous material , sulfur , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , chromatography
The distributions of the additive‐derived carbon and sulphur impurities in electroplated metallic layers are of great concern in plating industries. The amounts of carbon and sulphur impurities in the layers are normally <1 wt.% but they influence significantly the structure and properties of the layers. By analysis of the duplex nickel layers for corrosion protection of exterior automotive zinc die casting, it is demonstrated that radiofrequency glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy is a powerful and reliable technique for this purpose, allowing rapid depth profiling analysis with excellent sensitivities for the detection of carbon and sulphur, along with other impurities such as hydrogen and iron, and depth resolution. A freshly generated and highly flat cross‐section of the sample has been prepared using an ultramicrotome and a diamond knife and subsequently analysed by EPMA line‐scan analysis and AES spot analysis. It appeared that EPMA and AES do not have sufficient sensitivities to detect small amounts of the additive‐derived carbon and sulphur impurities, although they have distinct advantages for micro‐area analysis. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.