Characterisation and studies into surfaces and surface treatments
CETIM-CERMAT services in the field of surfaces and surface treatment complete those relating to corrosion (expert reports, tests and studies). They are deployed along three lines of approach:
Physical-chemical characterisation of a surface or surface treatment:
- Determining the number of layers
- Elementary chemical composition of each of them, or nature of the organic compound
- Coating thickness
- Hardness
- Determination of the presence of chromium VI (qualitative and quantitative) in surface extremes
Expert reports (Failure Analyses) and studies
some examples of expertise:
- What are the causes of early exfoliation of a paint
- Why does brazing of junctions on electronic boards not answer to the requirements of specifications
- What are the causes of flaking of hard chromium plating used in the food processing industry
- What is the nature of defects observed on thick electrolytic nickel plating
Example of a study: :
Is it possible to consider a change in surface treatment without degrading resistance to corrosion over time? This question is typically covered by electrochemical impedance measurements.
Future developments
In the future, requirements will be all the more stringent, knowing how to characterise a surface treatment in a more refined manner will become a necessity. The developments we are considering are as follows:
- Draw up quantitative programmes in Glow Discharge Spectrometry, especially to quantify elements in the alloyed zinc layers
- High-performance equipment acquisition as with an ESCA (Electron Spectrometry for Chemical Analysis) analyser that will enable us not just to proportion elements present in extreme surface but also obtain indications on molecular shapes.
CETIM-CERMAT / 21, rue de Chemnitz BP 2278 - 68068 Mulhouse Cedex
Tél : 03 89 32 72 20 / Fax : 03 89 59 97 87