Study of Topography and Distribution State of the Nanoscale Passivation Film on a Rough Tinplate Surface

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Abstract
Topography observation of the nanoscale passivation film on tinplate using a scanning electron microscope and an electro-optical surface profilometer showed that it was difficult to observe the true topography because of the high surface roughness of the tinplate. Topography observation using a profilometer on bright tin plating with low surface roughness and work function measurement on tinplate surface using a Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscope (SKPM) were then carried out to solve the problem. The results indicated that there was a thin chemical passivation film distributed uniformly in different areas of microscopic bulges and valleys on the tinplate surface, and the film became more uniform with longer passivation time. In comparison, the electrolytic passivation film was thick, and the distribution uniformity was poorer. Specifically, the film was thicker on microscopic bulges and thinner in microscopic valleys, and this was worse with longer passivation time. Thus, the difference in performances of the corrosion and paint adhesion of the tinplate treated with different passivation processes can be explained in terms of the topography and distribution state of the passivation film.

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