Abstract
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been widely used to characterise the surfaces of oxide films on metals and of bulk oxides. The surface sensitivity and the chemical information it provides are useful in examining the stability of the oxide surface with regard to hydration and hydroxylation, and in post-failure analysis of adhesive joints and delaminated coatings. Aluminium and titanium are used as examples, as they are important widely used materials, where resistance to hydration and bonding to the oxide surface are critical in many applications. Both oxide surfaces normally terminate in hydroxyl groups which on the titanium surface are readily resolved into bridged and terminal configurations. Although infrared evidence suggests the same structure on aluminium surfaces, this is generally not resolved in the oxygen XPS spectrum. A crucial part of the improved performance in adhesion and corrosion resistance of these metals is the improvement of the hydration resistance of the oxide film or the oxide—coating interface. Again XPS is useful in examining the mode of action of hydration blockers and conversion coatings.
Published Version
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