STATE ANALYSIS OF ELECTROLYTIC CHROMATE FILM BY XPS AND SXS

The chemical state of Cr in the interior and on the surface of silica- free and silica-added electrolytic chromate and that at the interface between the chromate films and electrogalvanized (EG) steel sheet were quantitatively investigated by SXS and XPS. Specimens for the interfa ce analysis were prepared by dissolving the Zn coating in mercury afte r adhering stainless steel sheets to the films. The Cr3+/(Cr3+ + Cr6+) ratio (Cr3+ ratio) of the interface was substantially the same as tha t of the interior, and that of the surface was 20% lower than that of the interior. Addition of silica to the film does not affect the chemi cal state of Cr. The Cr3+ ratio of the interface as well as the surfac e increased with the increase in the insoluble Cr3+ ratio obtained by an immersion test in boiling water, indicating that Cr3+ is insoluble in water. The surface of the chromate film was Cr6+-rich and the inter ior of the film is Cr6+-poor, which is attributed to the fact that Cr6 + is easily reduced to Cr3+ during chromate formation at the interface between the chromate bath and EG surface. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B .V.