Surface Analysis

Chemical Analysis of Surfaces	Light Microscopy
Contamination Analysis of Surfaces	Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
Mapping Distribution of Species	Transmission Electron Microscopy
Contamination Analysis	Quatitative Surface Analysis
Failure Analysis of Thin Film Devices	X-Ray Photo-electron Spectroscopy (XPS)
Auger Electron Spectroscopy	FTIR Analysis
ESCA Analysis	X-Ray Analysis
Depth Composition Profile Analysis	Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy
Contamination Studies	Image Analysis
Surface Roughness Determination	Electrochemical (AC & DC) Analysis
NDT Testing of Surfaces	Electron Diffraction
Metallurgical Evaluations	Secondary ion mass spectroscopy
Surface Tension Studies	Nomarski Interference Contrast
Scanning Electron Microscopy	Monitoring the Continuity of Surface Coatings
Spot Testing

Surface contamination is the premier cause of bonding failure in many areas. From paint adhesion to galvanizing, from contact cement to chemical vapor deposition of thin metal films, surface contamination is the most common “fly in the ointment.” The contamination is usually in an extremely thin layer, perhaps even a mono-atomic layer. Normal chemical analysis will not detect these thin layers.

Consider this problem: let’s say you had a lot of sheet steel for galvanizing. The last step in preparing the steel for galvanizing was to pass it thru a rinse tank. Unbeknownst to you, a maintenance worker had dropped into the tank a wrench which had been lubricated with silicone grease. Of course, some of the grease rose to the surface of the rinse water and formed a very thin film there. And just as surely, some of that silicone was picked up on the surface of your otherwise clean steel. So when the galvanizing process took place, the areas covered by the silicone bonded less well or not at all with the zinc layer, and the zinc in those areas subsequently bubbled and peeled off. Your customer comes to you wanting to know what happened. You are mystified and turn to MATCO for an answer.

MATCO would review the local production process, take samples as appropriate and begin to narrow down the possible problem areas. Soon Auger spectroscopy would reveal the presence of excess carbon and silicon on the interfaces between zinc and steel, pointing to the problem. If sufficient material remained, FTIR spectroscopy would pin down the silicone as the culprit.