Application of chemometric methods in Auger electron microanalysis of composites

Principal component analysis and cluster analysis have been used in AES investigations of fibre-matrix interactions in alumina fibre reinforced MgLi-alloys prepared by high-pressure infiltration. The samples have been fractured in ultra high vacuum to expose surfaces and interfaces without contamination. All main components exhibit Auger valence band transitions which change their shape with the chemical state. Chemometric methods have been utilized to identify characteristic peak shapes and to classify the investigated areas by composition. Fibre fracture surfaces are characterized by Al, magnesia and Li oxide formed by a redox reaction of alumina with Mg and Li penetrating along grain boundaries. For samples with high silica content a thin interfacial oxide layer on matrix grain boundaries and matrix-fibre interfaces has been found.