AES studies of antimony segregation on the surface of a FeSiC alloy

• Published in: Vacuum Vol. 43; no. 5; pp. 449 - 451
• Main Authors: Jenko, M, Vodopivec, F, Praček, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.05.1992
• Subjects: Antimony; Auger electron spectroscopy; Heat treatment; Segregation (metallography); Silicon alloys; Surface properties; Thin films; Vacuum applications
• ISSN: 0042-207X; 1879-2715
• DOI: 10.1016/0042-207X(92)90054-Z

Antimony segregation has been studied on the surface of a nonoriented electrical steel sheet: a polycrystalline FeSiSbC alloy heated in ultra-high vacuum in the temperature range from 20 to 850°C. Two differently heat-treated samples were used: (i) a cold rolled strip and (ii) a vacuum annealed strip. The kinetics of segregation has been measured on surfaces, which had been cleaned previously by ion sputtering. The surface concentrations were determined with dependence on bulk concentration and temperature by AES. During the heating process Sb, C, S and P segregate consistently with their diffusivities in α-Fe. Segregation of antimony on the surface of the investigated alloy in the temperature range from 500 to 650°C proceeded with perceivable velocity and increases with increasing temperature. The segregated antimony thin film was estimated to be 0.3 nm thick.