X-ray microanalysis of Al-austenitic steel boundary formed by explosion welding

The primary purpose in surface analysis is to identity the surface elemental composition (qualitatively), to dermine the amount and nature of species adsorbed and to elucidate the properties of the surface atoms. Of the four basic particle probe beams(electrons, ions, neutrals and photons), electron probes have been used longer and more extensively than any of the others. This is because electron beams of controlled energy and density can be easily generated. The scientist today is often required to observe and correctly explain phenomena occuring on a micrometer and submicrometer scale. Electron scanning microscope (SEM) and electron microprobe (EPMA) are two power- ful instruments which permit to characterize heterogenueos materials on a such fine scale. In both instruments production of many signals such as secondary electrons, photons of various energies etc. are produced as a consequence of irradiating the sample in question by the electron probe. The presented paper deals with the study of materials such as Al and CrNi steels which have been welded by explosion. The explosion welding takes on importance worldwide as many materials can not be welded by classic welding procedures. The evaluation of the quality of the quality of joints was carried out by SEM and EPMA.