A mössbauer spectroscopic study of the high-temperature oxidation. Behaviour of an austenitic stainless steel ion-implanted with tin

Abstract

The surface composition of an austenitic stainless steel treated with tin by direct ion implantation or by radiation‐enhanced diffusion and submitted to high‐temperature oxidation is studied by means of conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy (CEMS). This kind of steel is shown to lose its natural protection against oxidation, while pure iron and a high‐carbon steel are known to behave in the opposite way. This distinctive behaviour is seen to be due to the precipitation of Ni–Sn intermetallic compounds.