Surface Characterization of an Extruded 6060 Al Alloy

The surface characteristics of an extruded 6060 aluminium alloy were investigated with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The results revealed that the extruded surface was covered by oxides of aluminium and magnesium. The thickness of aluminium oxide was found to change along the extrusion direction with the thinnest and thickest oxide at the beginning and end of the extrudate, respectively. Magnesium segregation was found on the surface of the extrusion with the highest and lowest Mg concentration at the beginning and end of the extrudate, respectively. This is the inverse result of that expected where increasing Mg content was believed to be associated with film instability and thicker films.