Orientation dependence of metal dusting nanoprocesses on nickel single crystals

Abstract

Nanoprocesses of metal dusting have been studied on nickel single crystal surfaces by TEM and AEM techniques. The samples had been exposed to strongly carburizing conditions (aC > 1) for 4 h at 650°C. On Ni(111) and Ni(110) epitaxial growth of graphite was observed, graphite layers with their basal planes had grown parallel to the surface and there was no indication of metal dusting attack. In contrast, on Ni(100) metal dusting had started by inward growth of graphite lattice planes oriented more or less vertically to the surface.