Oxidation Characteristics of Some Nickel Alloy Films

Abstract

<p> The present work is aimed at studying the oxidation of thin films of nickel, nichrome and nickel phosphorous in air and water vapour at temperatures ranging from 100°C to 500°C. The optical constants, i.e., refractive index n and extinction coefficient k for these materials have been determined and their variation with temperature has been studied using ellipsometric technique. It has been shown that nickel oxide (NiO) is the more predominant phase in the oxides formed on these materials. It has also been found that within experimental error, the water vapour does not play a vital role in the oxidation process.</p>