Abstract
A new technique has been developed for the accurate determination of carbonaceous compounds on metal sUlfaces. The technique is based on oxidation of the samples in a furnace in flowing high purity oxygen as the furnace temperature is continuously raised. The carbon and hydrocarbons present on the metal surface oxidize selectively in specific temperature ranges. The reaction products are transformed in a separate oxidation furnace to CO2 and H2O. The concentrations of these compounds are continuously analysed using a high sensitivity infrared detector. The method gives an accurate quantitative value of the total surface carbon content and also semiquantitative information on the carbonaceous compounds present. The measurement technique is presented together with some experimental results from the surface analysis of carbonaceous impurities on low carbon steel sheets, copper tubes, and cemented carbide cutting tools.
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