Simple method of depth profiling (stratifying) contamination layers, illustrated by studies on stainless steel

Stainless-steel artefacts are used as reference masses for the calibration of balances and instruments involving force. The surfaces of these masses react with the environment, leading to changes in the chemistry of the steel surface, accretion of surface contamination layers and a dynamic absorption of moisture in those contamination layers. In order to understand these layers, to stabilized or correct for the concomitant mass changes, its is important to define what chemical states are developing and their stratification at the surface