Scanning tunneling microscopy study of Sb-alloyed electrical steel sheet

Scanning tunneling microscopy STM.was used to study the surface of the 0.1% Sb alloyed electrical steel sheet. Material was subjected to thermal treatment to induce the surface segregation of impurities as well as alloying component. It was found that Fe–S compound formed on the surface. This was determined by direct observation of the compound’s unit cell. Additional support was found in thermodynamical arguments and measurements of surface segregation temperature dependence by AES. q1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.