Abstract
The early stages of growth of oxide films on a Cu–26 wt.-% Zn alloy and their later development into thick scales have been studied by metallography and electron probe microanalysis. Thick scales have been examined conventionally in cross-section whereas thin films, about 1000–5000 Å thick, have been examined in plan.
A continuous layer of ZnO always develops quickly at the alloy-scaie interface but only after growth of an initial oxide containing ZnO and the oxides of copper. Compositionll changes in the initial and steady-state scales are presented. The results are compared with those for certain Cu–Ni alloys where NiO eventually forms a complete layer, though not as rapidly as does ZnO in the present system.
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