Microchemistry and Mechanisms of Adherence in Steel/Enamel Interfaces

The microchemistry of steel/enamel interfaces was investigated, on a nearly atomic scale, by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Experimental evidence is given that good adherence is characterized by a fully reacted iron silicate phase, which produces a local chemical continuity between steel and enamel, whereas bad adherence is associated with a heterogeneous mixture of an iron silicate phase plus unreacted FeO.