The effect of electrolytes on the preparation of an extraction replica in 3 wt. % Si steel

3% Si 강의 추출복제시료제조에 미치는 전해액의 영향

The effect of electrolyte on the extraction replicas of the precipiates in 3% Si steel was investigated. Three Kinds of electrolyte, 2% Nital solution (2% nitric acid+methanol; acid solution),, Sodium Citrate solution (5% sodiumcitrate+1% KBr+0.5KI+$H_{2}O$; aqueous neutral solution) and 10% AA solution (10% acetylacetone+ 1% tetramethylammoniumchloride+methanol; non-aqueous neutral solution), were compared. The preciptiates in 3% Si steel were dissolved in 2% Nital, but they were not dissolved in the Sodium Citrate and 10% AA solution. In Sodium Citrate solution, however, large second artifacts were introduced during sample preparation. Therefore 10% AA solution was found to be most useful for the preparation of extraction replica. The electrolysis condition of a matrix and precipitates were also checked by the measurement of potential-current curve in 10% AA solution. The matrix was electrolyzed at -400mV with respect to SCE(Saturated Calomel Electrode). In contrats precipitates were electrolyzed above 300mV. Precipitates were respected to be stable in 10% AA solution in the range of $-380mV{\sim}-300mV$ usually used to prepare extraction replicas.