Nanolayered oxide on a steel surface reduces surface reactivity: Evaluation by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES)

The phosphatability of steel depends on the condition of the surface. A thin film of oxide on the steel surface impairs the surface reactivity and reduces the phosphatability of the steel. The quantitative depth profile of various oxide films is identified by glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES). The extent of phosphatability on the surface of IF steel is explained in the light of GDOES analysis. Surface coverage by a nanolayer silica film (8–10 nm) is considered to be relatively more responsible for imparting a poor surface reactivity than the other oxides present in the film.