1974 Volume 60 Issue 13 Pages 1989-2001
Application of secondary ion analysis to iron and steel was investigated by using the ion microprobe mass analyzer. The method of sample preparation was compared, and the surface polished with Al2O3powder was found to be the most suitable for in-depth analysis. This technique was applied successfully to the analysis of surface segregation of Al in Fe-0.1%Al alloys. Quantitative analysis of alloy elements in steels was investigated by both of calibration curves and the theore tical correction method called CARISMA. In low alloy steels, it was found to be possible to perform quantitative analysis with good accuracy by means of calibration curves. However, when the concentration of an alloy element in steel exceeded a certain value, the analytical value determined by ion probe microanalysis was sometimes fairly larger than that by chemical analysis. It was confirmed that the over estimation was caused by the formation of secondary phases, such as carbides, in the matrix. The analytical value determined by CARISMA was not so accurate as that by calibration curves, but the precision of this correction method was not influenced by the formation of secondary phascs.