Boron is often used as a trace additive in steel in order to control the phase transformation behaviors and improve the interfacial cohesion. The aim of this work is to suggest a method to determine the trace boron concentration of iron and steel by direct ion image. The optimum conditions for direct ion imaging were proposed by means of secondary ion mass spectrometry - resistive anode encorder (SIMS-RAE). A method of quantification was examined using standard reference materials, electrolytic iron, high carbon steel, Cr-V steel and stainless steel. For the best secondary ionization efficiency, O ion bombardment and negative secondary ion collection were used. The cluster ions of BO and FeO were detected and processed to reduce the strong matrix effect. Every pixel, P(i, j) of 50 images was integrated and converted to a retrospective depth profile by calculator and profiler. The calibration curve and relative sensitivity factor (RSF) approach were considered. Furthermore, reproducibility of the SIMS data depending on the analytical mode was examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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