Application of SIMS in Re-Technology Studies: Characterization of Trace-Element Distributions and Quantitative of Carbon-Determination

 The content and the three dimensional distribution of impurities play an important role in the production process of high purity rhenium powder (99.99% purity grade) and for its further use as alloying and coating agent in high temperature applications. In this paper the characterization of raw Re granulate, Re powder, cleaned by heat treatment, Re coatings, produced by most common preparation methods (PVD and VPS) and PM Re by means of SIMS is presented. The analysis of the three dimensional distribution of trace elements is performed by 3D SIMS. The quantification of carbon, which was not possible with other analytical techniques as a result of the high volatility of Re₂O₇ until now, has been carried out by SIMS depth profile analysis. It is discussed if internal standards, produced by introduction of defined amounts of carbon soot to the Re powder lead to useful results.