The Use of Mossbauer Spectroscopy in Metallurgy

This review will present examples of the varied way in which Mossbauer spectroscopy has been used, with complementary analytical techniques, to gain information about metals and alloys, with cases chosen to illustrate how this information can be valuable to industry.The Mossbauer investigations reviewed have been divided into three categories:1) Monitoring the effect of deliberate modification of the metal by processing, either at the pre-treatment stage, e.g. metal ion etching of steel surfaces prior to coating or during the modification of structure and properties, such as the formation of Al-Fe surface alloys formed by ion implantation of Fe in Al.2) Monitoring changes in the metal not caused deliberately, i.e. the side-effects of processing. Examples reviewed include Mossbauer studies of reactor steels, and phase transformation during intensive plastic deformation. Also the Mossbauer Effect has helped to determine the cause of staining occurring on electrogalvanized steel.3) Obtaining information to enable fundamental understanding of metals and alloys. These examples include Mossbauer spectroscopy used to study the formation of intermetallic phases in industrial alloys, the influence of metal ions on iron oxide rusts and the study of quasi-crystalline alloys.The information gained has helped the improvement of properties, the monitoring of changes in structures, as well as the development of fundamental understanding of metals and alloys.