Multiscale Analysis of the Gold Dust Defect in AISI 430 Industrial Stainless Steels: Influence of the Aluminum Content

Abstract The "Gold Dust Defect" affects the surface quality of AISI 430 ferritic stainless steels. However, there is a very limited number studies focusing on it. To better understand its nature, we have combined several techniques, such as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron in order to extract maximum structural compositional information. Our results show that quality, microstructure, chemistry samples are strongly affected by aluminum content, severity defect being highest at lowest Al concentration. Not only concentration defects reduced when increasing Al. at.% but depth cavities also factor 3 content increased from 0.09 0.59 at.%. provide new information nature this defect, an increase allows Cr be maintained range values required maintain passivity steel, thus improving quality.