XPS study of duplex stainless steel oxidized by oxygen atoms

Surface oxidation of the duplex stainless steel DSS alloy 2205 was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and SEM imaging. The experiments were performed on the alloy after controlled oxidation with oxygen atoms created in an inductively coupled plasma. Experiments were performed at temperatures from room temperature up to 700 °C. Compositions of the modified oxidized surfaces were obtained from XPS survey scans, and the chemistries of selected elements from higher energy resolution scans of appropriate peaks. The morphologies of the surfaces were obtained using field emission scanning electron microscopy at different magnifications, up to 10,000×. Different Fe/Cr/Mn oxidized layers and different oxide thicknesses were observed and correlated with temperature.