alloy substrates method for the removal of companion elements from

Methods are provided for cleaning a near-surface region (20) discloses an alloy substrate (10) in the presence of a flux (12). A flux is melted on the surface of the alloy substrate at a temperature which is sufficient to allow a reaction of the flux with at least one accompanying element, which is present within the alloy substrate. The alloy substrate may remain fixed, but diffusion of the companion element is made possible by an increased temperature of the substrate. Disclosed flow means may include a metal oxalate and / or other compounds which are able to form by reaction with the containing to be cleaned alloy substrate accompanying elements compounds, wherein the compounds formed have a value AH