Learn about our COVID-19 response    ->

Material Testing Lab | Innovatech Labs

Material Testing Labs Innovator

  • Request Quote

888-740-5227 Email

Menu
  • Material Testing Methods / Techniques
    • Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES)
    • Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to Measure Heat Flow
    • Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
    • Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
    • Ion Chromatography (IC)
    • Light Microscopy & Imaging
    • Liquid Particle Counting (LPC)
    • Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA)
    • Melt Flow Testing
    • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
    • Thermal Gravitational Analysis (TGA) Lab Services
    • Close
  • Analytical Services
    • Cleanliness Testing for Microcontamination
    • Failure Analysis Testing Services
    • Material Testing Services for Products and Components
    • Materials Characterization & Specialized Testing
    • Outgassing Testing Services Prevents Critical Errors
    • Quality Control Testing for Manufactured Products
    • Close
  • Industries
    • Hard Drive Microcontamination Testing Services
    • Manufacturing Support
    • Critical Medical Device Testing Services
    • Close
  • About
    • Sample Submission Form
    • Professional Services / Consulting
      • Metallurgical Consulting
      • Short Courses
      • Technical Presentations
      • Close
    • Testimonials
    • Close
  • Case Studies
  • Newsroom
You are here: Home / Newsroom / ESCA Blog Posts & Resources / Using ESCA for Chemical Analysis of Stainless Steel

Using ESCA for Chemical Analysis of Stainless Steel

November 1, 2010 by Jennifer Mathias Leave a Comment

Using ESCA to monitor the quality of the stainless steel passivation layer

The resistance of stainless steels to rust or corrosion is accomplished by passivation of the alloy to create a chromium-rich oxide layer.  The ESCA technique is an excellent tool to monitor the quality of the stainless steel passivation layer.

To understand the overall ESCA method and how it helps manufacturing needs, please refer to the following:

Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis of Stainless Steel

Many industries use stainless steel in manufacturing tools, instruments and products. During the manufacturing process, passivation or obtaining a chromium rich layer on the surface of the steel is required to ensure the surface is inert or non-reactive. This keeps the steel from developing corrosion or rust on the surface.

For materials with thin passivation layers, surface analysis is one of the few techniques in providing a chemical analysis of the layer. A common technique for this type of analysis is electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA).

The method of this technique utilizes an x-ray beam to excite a solid sample resulting in the emissions of photoelectrons. From these photoelectrons, data on both elemental and chemical contents becomes available for further analysis.

Also called x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy or XPS, the main advantage of this technique is its ability to analyze the surface and chemical state of other materials – including glasses, metals, polymers and other materials.

In the analysis of stainless steel, ESCA provides detailed information for both the chromium-to-iron and the chromium oxide to iron oxide ratios. This information, along with the thickness of the passivation layer is all measured by ESCA.

Learn more about how ESCA is used in stainless steel passivation analysis.

Filed Under: ESCA Blog Posts & Resources, Innovatech Labs Blog Post Archive Tagged With: Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Innovatech Labs, LLC
13805 First Ave. N. Suite 100
Plymouth, MN 55441
888-740-5227
info@innovatechlabs.com

  • Material Testing Lab [Home]
  • Case Studies
  • Request A Quote
  • Terms of Service
  • FTIR Analysis
  • GC/MS Analysis
  • TGA Analysis
  • Newsroom
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
CompliAssure Secured Logo

© 2021 · Innovatech Labs, LLC