APPLICATIONS OF SURFACE-ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES TO ALUMINUM SURFACES IN COMMERCIAL SEMIFABRICATED AND FINISHED PRODUCTS

The application of surface-analytical techniques (XPS, SIMS, SNMS) in an industrial R & D department of a company producing aluminium semifabricated and finished products is reviewed. Four different 'case studies' are presented related to: (a) composition of oxide films on aluminium foil of commercial purity influencing corrosion resistance and adhesion in packaging products; (b) control of thickness and composition of chromate conversion coatings; (c) surface factors influencing etchability of high-purity aluminium foil for use in electrolytic capacitors; (d) electrochemical behaviour of AlMgGa alloys in alkaline electrolytes related to use as active battery anodes. Modern surface-analytical techniques turn out to be a valuable instrument both for product development and problem solving related to surface and interface properties. Specific answers to problems can often only be given based on results of several analytical and structural techniques, including more 'conventional' techniques such as wet-chemical trace analysis or electron microscopy of thin films.