Mössbauer spectroscopic study on rust formed on steel surfaces

Abstract

Mössbauer spectroscopy is a powerful tool for analyzing the rust formed on steel surface, and it is expected that it clarifies the nature of the rust, together with the discussion of the results by other complementary techniques. Mössbauer spectroscopy has different nondestructive methods to conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy (CEMS), and conversion X-rays Mössbauer spectroscopy (CXMS) [66, 67]. The analytical depth for CEMS is approximately 50 nm, and for CXMS is 10-20 μm, and therefore they can be applied for the in-situ investigation of the initial rust formation process. Mössbauer spectroscopy will be increasingly used in order to elucidate the atmospheric corrosion mechanism in consideration of the electrochemical process in future.