Auger-Electron Spectroscopic Studies of the Surfaces of 18-8 Stainless Steel Electropolished or Abraded by Emery Papers

Abstract

The surfaces of 18-8 stainless steel electropolished or abraded by emery papers have been examined by means of an Auger electron spectrometer. The main results obtained are as follows ;
(1) For the electropolished surface and the abraded one, peaks from chrome and nickel are not observed until the surfaces are sputtered with argon ions. The peak heights of carbon and oxygen are decreased, and those of iron, chrome and nickel are increased by ion bombardment.
(2) Residuals of electrolytes are observed on the electropolished surface, but abrasives (mainly Al₂O₃) are not detectable on the abraded one.
(3) The results obtained after successive ion bombardment show that the superficial region of the electropolished surface includes much amount of elemental oxygen than the region of the abraded one.