SIMS investigation of the processes of gas release from zirconium-based getter alloy

Abstract

Results from a SIMS investigation of the surface of hydrogen-saturated intermetallic Zr50V50 getter alloy at various stages of gas release are presented. It is shown that a series of chemical compounds are formed at the surface between the atoms of the metallic matrix and oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen, depending on the experimental conditions. Processes of the formation and decomposition of hydroxides on the surface and in the near-surface region of the sample play a substantial role during the desorption of hydrogen in the temperature range of 300–500 K.