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The purpose of the paper is to discuss the chemical characterisation of inorganic and organic materials found in electronic systems.

The paper provides an introduction to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which is used for the chemical characterisation and analysis of materials. Examples from recent case studies are given to illustrate the work.

It was found that Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy can successfully identify materials at various stages of their lifecycle. By this means any contaminants and their resulting detrimental effects can be eliminated.

The paper demonstrates how the chemical analysis of a material is conducted, and what can be learned from the investigation.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the surface corrosion products of copper alloys by non‐destructive techniques (NDT) and correlate them with their bulk composition.

Specimens of copper alloys, whose compositions were close to those of ancient copper‐based artefacts, were left to be corroded in simulated soil solution containing ammoniacal buffering solution of pH =10 in 1:1 ratio, in order to accelerate the corrosion rate. The elemental compositions of the surface corrosion products were determined versus time using X‐Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, and the surface morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X‐Ray Micro‐detector methods, and the results were compared to the bulk composition, as measured by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy.

During the corrosion evolution of the copper alloys in the corrosive solution, transitional phenomena were observed such as an initial decrease of the copper concentration with a simultaneous increase of the concentrations of the secondary alloying metals (Sn, Zn and Pb). After 30‐60 immersion days, the alloy concentrations were stabilised.

The results of this research could contribute to the non‐destructive characterisation of copper‐based ancient artefacts (from which the taking of samples is not allowed).

At the passing of the Fair Trading Act, 1973, and the setting up of a Consumer Protection Service with an Office of Fair Trading under a Director‐General, few could have visualized this comprehensive machinery devised to protect the mainly economic interests of consumers could be used to further the efforts of local enforcement officers and authorities in the field of purity and quality control of food and of food hygiene in particular. This, however, is precisely the effect of a recent initiative under Sect. 34 of the Act, reported elsewhere in the BFJ, taken by the Director‐General in securing from a company operating a large group of restaurants a written undertaking, as prescribed by the Section, that it would improve its standards of hygiene; the company had ten convictions for hygiene contraventions over a period of six years.

The aim is to focus on the application of X‐rays in the failure analysis of electronic devices and systems, with an emphasis on X‐ray radiography and X‐ray spectroscopy.

The theory behind X‐ray radiography and X‐ray spectroscopy is reviewed, and relevant case studies are used to illustrate the application of these techniques in the failure analysis of electronic devices and systems.

Examples from recent case studies are given.

The paper provides an introduction to X‐ray methods for engineers working on the failure analysis of electronic devices and systems who may be unfamiliar with these techniques.

To decrease wear and friction, zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) has been used in engine oil for several decades, but the mechanism of the tribofilm formation is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to characterize the chemical details of the tribofilm by using high-resolution approaching.

An ISO VG 100 mineral oil mixed with ZDDP was used in sliding tests on cylindrical roller bearings. Tribofilm formation was observed after 2 h of the sliding test. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atom probe tomography (APT) were used for chemical analysis of the tribofilm.

The results show that the ZDDP tribofilm consists of the common ZDDP elements along with iron oxides. A considerable amount of zinc and a small amount of sulfur were observed. In particular, an oxide interlayer with sulfur enrichment was revealed by APT between the tribofilm and the steel substrate. The depth profile of the chemical composition was obtained, and a tribofilm of approximately 40 nm thickness was identified by XPS.

A sulfur enrichment at the interface is observed by APT, which is beneath an oxygen enrichment. The clear evidence of the S interlayer confirms the hard and soft acids and bases principle.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-01-2020-0035/

The advantages of lasers over broad‐band light sources for spectroscopic measurements have long been recognized. Laser techniques offer the ability to measure the concentrations of trace species in a gas stream in “real time” with sensitivity and molecular selectivity not possible with broad band spectroscopic techniques. Until recently, the use of laser‐based instruments has been largely limited to laboratory or one‐of‐a‐kind devices. However, the increased availability of solid‐state tunable diode lasers, recent advancements in fiber optic coupling and advanced signal processing have made it possible to develop instruments that offer customers enabling technology at an affordable price. Spectrum Diagnostix has developed a family of tunable diode laser‐based instruments used in a variety of applications including: fugitive release detection of HF and H₂S in the refining and petrochemical industries, stack monitoring, and using extractive sample probe, in situ process control. SpectraScan instruments obtain their high sensitivity and chemical selectivity utilizing a technique known as wavelength modulated spectroscopy. Described simply, a near infra‐red diode laser’s wavelength is scanned rapidly and repeatedly through a molecular absorption line. A photodetector senses the instantaneous fraction of emitted laser power that is transmitted through the chemical bearing gas. Measurement of the relative amplitudes of offline to online transmission yields a precise value of the quantity of chemical along the laser beam’s path. The amplitude modulated signals are then detected using established radio receiver and signal processing techniques. The SpectraScan monitors are designed for permanent installation in harsh industrial and petrochemical environments and are approved for Class I, Division 2 hazardous area use. Describes the SpectraScan instruments, their field applications, and reviews operating data compiled from open path measurements of HF in refineries.

Examines the fifteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

The aim of this work was to propose a method to prepare composite phosphate conversion coating (CPCC), including ternary phosphate conversion coating (TPCC) and binary phosphate conversion coatings (BPCC), with one-step chemical conversion and to reveal and compare the corrosion resistance between TPCC and BPCC.

In this work, a calcium–manganese–zinc (Ca–Mn–Zn) TPCC was prepared on the surface of magnesium alloy (MA) AZ91D with one-step chemical conversion method; for Ca-Mn-Zn@TPCC, its microstructure was characterized with scanning electron microscope observation and scanning tunneling microscope detection, and its composition was characterized with energy dispersion spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. Particularly, the corrosion resistance of Ca-Mn-Zn@TPCC and its comparison with Ca–Mn, Ca–Zn and Mn–Zn BPCCs were clarified with electrochemical and immersion measurements.

Ca-Mn-Zn@TPCC, which was composed of Ca, Mn, Zn, P and O, exhibited a mud-shaped with cracks microstructure, and the average crack width, terrain fluctuation and coating thickness were 0.61 µm, 23.78 nm and 2.47 µm, respectively. Ca-Mn-Zn@TPCC provided good corrosion resistance to MA AZ91D; in NaCl solution, the total degradation of Ca-Mn-Zn@TPCC consumed eight days; corrosion products with poor adhesion peeled out from Ca-Mn-Zn@TPCC-coated MA AZ91D spontaneously. Besides, the corrosion resistance of Ca-Mn-Zn@TPCC was better than that of Ca-Mn@BPCC, Ca-Zn@BPCC or Mn-Zn@BPCC.

The successful preparation of Ca-Mn-Zn@TPCC on MA AZ91D surface confirmed the proposed method to prepare CPCC with one-step chemical conversion was feasible; at the same time, it was further confirmed that for phosphate conversion coating, ternary coating had better corrosion resistance than binary coating did.

This article aims to review the different devices that are available for the in situ monitoring of analytes found in the marine environment.

Following a short introduction to the topic, this paper discusses physical‐ and chemical‐based sensors, automatic analysers (flow injection, spectroscopic and spectrometric), electrochemical devices and biosensors.

A wide range of in situ monitoring systems (and associated deployment apparatus) for measuring concentrations of various analytes (e.g. nutrients, organic chemicals and metallic elements) have been developed in recent decades. Many of these systems are still at the laboratory or prototype stage and are yet to be fully developed into commercially available products. The harsh conditions often found in the marine environment can further limit the utility and application of these sensors. Further development work is needed; however, the need now is for field deployments, validation and inter‐calibration between sensors and other analytical measurement techniques.

This paper provides up‐to‐date information on in situ technologies that are available, either at the laboratory and prototype stages or commercially, and are suitable for deployment in the marine environment. Applications of these sensing systems are discussed together with their associated advantages and disadvantages over other existing water monitoring methods.