Surface characterization and adhesive bonding of stainless steels: I—the surface characterization of the steels

In part I of this study, surfaces of three stainless steels have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, Auger electron spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The surface characteristics, which were investigated before and after chemical etching, were found to be strongly dependent upon the method of steel manufacture. The environmental resistance of adhesive joints prepared using the steels depended upon the surface chemistry and roughness induced by the etching treatment. In part II the interface region of the three steels and silane‐based primer will be analysed and results correlated with durability studies.