Understanding the mechanisms of surface and crack tip oxidation with valence mapping

Lozano-Perez S, Shen Z, Du D, Zhang L

A novel automated routine has been developed to quantify the local chemistry and extract valence maps from electron energy loss spectra. This approach, besides the usual quantitative maps, has allowed to determine the origin of the various cations that incorporate to the surface oxides and their impact in the oxide protective nature. Two austenitic alloys are compared and the differences in their oxides at different regions explained.