Physico-chemical characterisation of native air-formed oxide films on Al-Mg alloys at low temperature. Influence of water
Résumé
Natural oxide films on two cold-rolled Al-Mg alloys were studied using several techniques (XPS, SIMS, ToF-SIMS, GDOS, SEM, TEM, Wetting measurements). The aim was to characterise and compare the oxide layers formed on the two materials in order to better understand the influence of the thermomechanical history. The experimental tools used allowed the determination of the influence of the annealing process on the nature and structure of the oxides. The hydration and Bronsted behaviour were also investigated. The thickness of the layer, the amount of magnesium oxide and its dissolving resistance in water are strongly modified by the annealing. The oxide film formed on the annealed material is twice as thick as the one on the non-reheated material. The layer on the annealed material contains more magnesium oxide and contains the crystalline forms:beta-Al2O3 and bayerite (Al(OH)(3)). On the contrary, the oxide film formed on the as-rolled material seems to be amorphous. The magnesium oxide is less soluble in water in the annealed film than in the non-reheated one. Furthermore, aluminium and magnesium oxides were found to be hydroxylated on both alloys, and the layer surfaces to behave like a Bronsted meaning base.