Characterization and local chemical quantification of light elements (C,H, O, N, Li, B) in metals

This work presents the development of an analytical solution designed to locally characterize light chemical elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, lithium, and boron in metallic matrices. These elements are responsible for numerous premature failures of components in aeronautics, nuclear, automotive, biomedical, and other fields. One of the technological challenges is the sensitivity of conventional analytical techniques for characterizing these light elements. 

The high-resolution micro-Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (HR µ-LIBS) developed at LASALYS is dedicated to light elements and enables the local characterization and quantification of these elements in all metals, as well as in ceramics, glasses, composites, and more. 

Through both the instrumental development of this analytical solution and the creation of characterization methods, it is possible to trace diffusion profiles of oxygen in titanium, carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen in steels. Local characterization with a spatial resolution of 2 to 5 µm also allows for the analysis of specific compounds such as hydrides in zirconium cladding, as well as the presence of light chemical elements in areas of stress concentration and high deformation in broken parts or those subjected to mechanical stress. 

The innovative approach of this analytical solution is to provide complementary results to existing characterization techniques that are well-established in studies, whether in academic research or industrial application development. 

In this presentation, various results are showcased, including exploratory studies (Zr-H), method development studies (Ti-O, Fe-C-N, Fe-H), and application-oriented studies for production monitoring (Al-B).