Browsing by Author "Hyland, MM"

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    Phase-oriented surface segregation in an aluminium casting alloy
    (Elsevier, 2009-02-15) Nguyen, CL; Atanacio, AJ; Zhang, W; Prince, KE; Hyland, MM; Metson, JB
    There have been many reports of the surface segregation of minor elements, especially Mg, into surface layers and oxide films on the surface of Al alloys. LM6 casting alloy (Al–12%Si) represents a challenging system to examine such segregation as the alloy features a particularly inhomogeneous phase structure. The very low but mobile Mg content (approximately 0.001 wt.%), and the surface segregation of modifiers such as Na, mean the surface composition responds in a complex manner to thermal treatment conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to determine the distribution of these elements within the oxide film. Further investigation by dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (DSIMS) confirmed a strong alignment of segregated Na and Mg into distinct phases of the structure. © 2009, Elsevier Ltd.