Visualization and characterization of localized outgassing position on surface-treated specimens: Chromium oxide layer on stainless steel

Hydrogen outgassing from a metal surface and a coated metal surface was visualized by two-dimensional mapping of hydrogen ions desorbed upon scanning electron beam irradiation. The samples used were stainless steel covered with a dense chromium oxide layer, and a reference surface of stainless steel. The coating layer was made by using the segregation phenomenon of the metal. Outgassing of hydrogen was detected from the holelike defects on the treated surface. However, hydrogen was not released from all the holelike defects seen in the SEM image. The outgassing positions were positions without chromium, but not all areas without chromium and/or oxygen coincided with outgassing positions.