Letter 100

Question about the Beilby layer

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Don't know whether this question got through previously:

I have recently been asked whether it is true that austenitic stainless steel tubing intended for gas delivery in the semiconductor manufacturing industry cannot be be satisfactorily passivated after electro-polishing because of the absence of a 'Beilby layer', which prevents suitable formation of chromium oxides. Is this true? and What is a Beilby layer? I would appreciate it if anyone could shed a little light on these matters. Thanks, Wolf Penzel

Wolf Penzel

Found a reference in The Surface Treatment and Finishing of Aluminum and Its Alloys by S. Wernick, R. Pinner, P.G. Sheasby where, on page 28, it is described as 'the much debated Beilby layer of amorphous or very finely crystalline metal' resulting from the last stages of polishing. Whether it is plastic deformation or viscous flow remains a matter of debate, according to further comments made. Whether this condition has the effects I asked about remains unanswered. Thanks,

Wolf Penzel

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