PINTA – Clean Surface 2002-2006

The Control of small-particle surface forces and initial stages of surface oxidation (SURFOX) project focuses on the adhesion forces between small particles of oxide/silica and oxide or metal surfaces. The adhesion force between silica particles and a titania surface is at its minimum when the surface roughness of both materials is about the same. The goal of this first part was to understand uncontrolled deposition, i.e. fouling by particles on industrial surfaces in heat exchangers, boilers, etc. The other part of SURFOX concentrated on the mechanisms of the nanoscale oxidation of high-purity Cu, Cu alloys, Fe, Fe-Cr alloys, and Znand Zn-Al-metallized thin films. Both industrially manufactured materials as well as single crystal surfaces were studied using surface-sensitive experimental techniques. The project has opened up new avenues for understanding and controlling the nanoscale oxide film formation on metal alloy surfaces.