Characterisation of corrosion and wear behaviour of nanoscaled e-beam PVD CrN coatings

The present paper analyses the performance of CrN single-layers produced by electron beam PAPVD (EBPAPVD), finding that both corrosion and wear resistance are directly dependant on the structure and stoichiometry of the nitride. The nanolayer structure of the coatings is formed by periodically varying the nitrogen pressure during deposition resulting in layers with higher and lower N-content. This fact, which has not been described in the literature, causes different structure and morphology of the individual films providing excellent properties to the coating. For corrosion resistance, the CrN layer's greater compactness impedes penetration of the electrolyte and thus prevents the formation of a galvanic couple between the coating and the substrate. Moreover, a good wear resistance is obtained, retarding its delamination.     

Influence of heat treatment on surface morphology,hardness, wear and corrosion resistance of industrial phosphate coatings

Abstract

New phosphate black coatings for the improvement of mechanical properties on metallic objects have been developed to extend life time of machinery. The performance of phosphate black coatings was evaluated by weight gain studies, micro hardness studies, abrasive wear resistance and corrosion resistant measurement by electrochemical methods. The surface morphology of the coatings was assessed by XRD, SEM and XPS. The absorption coefficient of the coatings was evaluated by UV-visible spectrometer. Salt spray analysis was carried out to follow up the corrosion and get an idea about the performance of black coatings in automobile parts. The mechanical properties were very much improved after heat treatment of coatings at 200°C.     

Ni-TiO2 nanocomposite coating with high resistance to corrosion and wear

Ni-TiO₂ nanocomposite coatings with various contents of TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by electrodeposition in a Ni plating bath containing TiO₂ nanoparticles to be codeposited. The influences of the TiO₂ nanoparticle concentration in the plating bath, the current density and the stirring rate on the composition of nanocomposite coatings were investigated. The composition of coatings was studied by using energy dispersive X-ray system (EDX). The wear behavior of the pure Ni and Ni-TiO₂ nanocomposite coatings were evaluated by a pin-on-disc tribometer. The corrosion performance of coatings in 0.5 M NaCl, 1 M NaOH and 1 M HNO₃ as corrosive solutions was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods (EIS). The microhardness and wear resistance of the nanocomposite coatings increase with increasing of TiO₂ nanoparticle content in the coating. With increasing of TiO₂ nanoparticle content in the coating, the polarization resistance increases, the corrosion current decreases and the corrosion potential shifts to more positive values.     

Structure of duplex CrN/NbN coatings and their performance against corrosion and wear

In tribological applications the coating-substrate combination can be considered as a system, since both greatly influence the properties of that affect the tribological performance. Further, it is often desirable that both high wear resistance and corrosion resistance can be achieved even when low cost and easily machineable substrate materials are considered. Duplex surface treatment combining pulse plasma nitriding and PVD coating can provide solution for excellent wear and corrosion resistance for low alloy and constructional steels.In this work three different pulse plasma nitriding processes were carried out prior to the CrN/NbN PVD coating to attain high surface hardness and enhanced load bearing behaviour for S154 high strength construction steel. The phase composition of the compound layer, formed in the nitriding process, was found to greatly affect the tribological properties of the duplex system. The compound layer with high amount of ?-phase contributed to superior corrosion and wear resistance, whereas the ductile γ'-phase compound layer provided better impact resistance and enhanced. The best duplex treated S154 samples had wear resistance comparable to that of similarly coated HSS. The corrosion resistance was also improved by duplex process. If anodic current at + 500 mV vs. SCE is considered as criteria, the best system has almost 3 orders of magnitude lower corrosion current than with the PVD coating alone.     

Mutifunctional arc ion plated TiO2 photocatalytic coatings with improved wear and corrosion protection

An arc ion plating (AIP) system was used to deposit anatase TiO₂ thin films with photocatalytic and antimicrobial properties. This study aims to evaluate the properties and performance of such films, including surface hardness, adhesion, abrasive wear resistance and corrosion protection. The experimental results show that film hardness and scratch adhesion reach maximum values of 679.6 HV and 21.2 N, respectively. Film quality is strongly influenced by the degree of crystallinity, which is in turn affected by both deposition time and oxygen partial pressure. The wear resistance of the TiO₂ coatings can be closely correlated to the film adhesion, however all films impart significantly higher resistance to abrasive wear than that of the uncoated surface. On the other hand, TiO₂ coatings on stainless steel give rise to an increased (less negative) corrosion potential and decreased corrosion current in a sodium chloride solution. Overall, AIP-TiO₂ film can however provide satisfactory protection for stainless steel.     

Influence of phase transition on the tribological performance of arc-evaporated AlCrVN hard coatings

V-alloyed AlCrN hard coatings were synthesised by reactive arc-evaporation in an industrial-sized deposition system at bias voltages ranging from − 40 to − 150 V. X-ray diffraction analysis has shown that higher energetic growth conditions stabilise the desired metastable face-centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure of Al_0.70Cr_0.05V_0.25N even at very high Al/Cr ratios resulting in hardness values comparable to Al_0.70Cr_0.30N. Ball-on-disc tests were used to assess the friction at 700 °C where Al_0.70Cr_0.05V_0.25N coatings revealed a generally lower coefficient of friction due to the formation of a tribolayer containing the lubricious oxide V₂O₅ as evidenced by Raman spectroscopy. The single-phase fcc-Al_0.70Cr_0.05V_0.25N coating appears to be more oxidation resistant leading to a reduced formation of V₂O₅ and, hence, an increase in friction. The cutting performance was evaluated by conducting side milling tests under dry conditions, where Al_0.70Cr_0.05V_0.25N coatings showed a competitive performance regardless of the growth conditions.     

Comparative wear performance of titanium based coatings for automotive applications using exhaust gas recirculation

This paper reports tribological characterization of titanium based coatings ion bonded on steel balls for automotive applications using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). It is well known that lubricating oil drawn from EGR operated engine is contaminated with soot and higher amounts of wear debris compared to non-EGR operated engine. In this study, steel balls coated with TiN, TiAlN and TiCN are investigated in both fresh lubricating oil and EGR stressed oil for a comparative assessment of their wear characteristics in two mediums. Normal load was applied on the samples, tested against a rotating cast iron disk, simulating ring-liner interaction. In each experiment, about one quarter of disk was dipped in the oil (a) to ensure the presence of a thin oil film on the disk-ball interface during the experiment, and (b) to avoid exposure of the worn surface to atmospheric air. The results reveal that the wear rates of the coatings based on the change in the scar diameters of the samples, tested in EGR oil was 2-4 times higher than that of fresh lubricating oil. It was found that despite lowest hardness, TiN coated samples showed smaller scar diameters than TiAlN and TiCN coated samples in both lubricating oil environments. A simple geometric model was used to calculate the thickness of the coating removed as a function of the test duration. Results show that TiN coatings last for 120 min in fresh oil as compared to 30 min in the EGR oil under normal loading, whereas TiAlN and TiCN coating last for 60 and 30 min respectively in fresh oil and wear out in 15 min in EGR oil.     

Raman spectroscopy investigations of TiBxCyNz coatings deposited by low pressure chemical vapor deposition

TiB_xC_yN_z coatings have been prepared applying LPCVD and characterized using SEM/EDX, XRD, and Raman micro-spectroscopy. It has been shown that first-order, defect-induced Raman spectra of good quality can be obtained from TiB_xC_yN_z coatings, even if buried within a multilayer stack. The Raman peak assignments fit well with previous work on TiC_1 − xN_x. Even small changes in the B:C:N ratio result in systematical shifts of the Raman peaks. With increasing nitrogen content, the acoustical phonons shift to lower frequencies. A high correlation of the Raman shifts with lattice constants derived from XRD has also been found. Additionally, intensity and FWHM of the Raman peaks also change going from carbon- to nitrogen-rich coatings. The sensitivity of the TA peak Raman shifts to changes of the investigated basic coating properties is largest for N-rich coatings. Looking at the full range of coatings the dependence of the Raman shifts is slightly nonlinear.The present work establishes Raman microscopy as a complementary non-destructive technique compared to XRD for studying coatings like TiB_xC_yN_z. Structural, optical and chemical properties can be determined with considerably higher spatial resolution.     

Mechanical properties, deformation behaviors and interface adhesion of (AlCrTaTiZr)Nx multi-component coatings

In this study, (AlCrTaTiZr)N_x multi-component coatings with quinary metallic elements were developed as protective hard coatings for tribological application. The mechanical properties, creep behaviors, deformation mechanisms and interface adhesion of the (AlCrTaTiZr)N_x coatings with different N contents were characterized. With increasing the N₂-to-total (N₂ + Ar) flow ratio, R_N, during sputtering deposition, the (AlCrTaTiZr)N_x coatings transformed from an amorphous metallic phase to a nanocomposite and finally a crystalline nitride structure. The hardness of the coatings accordingly increased from 13 GPa to a high value of about 30 GPa, but the creep strain rate also increased from 1.3 × 10^− 4 to 7.3 × 10^− 4 1/s. The plastic deformation of the amorphous metallic coating deposited with R_N = 0% proceeded through the formation and extension of shear bands, whereas dislocation activities dominated the deformation behavior of the crystalline nitride coatings deposited with R_N = 10% and 30%. With increasing R_N, the interface adhesion energy between the coatings and the substrates was also enhanced from 6.1 to 22.9 J/m².     

Structure, mechanical properties and oxidation behaviour of arc-evaporated NbAlN hard coatings

Nb_1 − xAl_xN hard coatings were synthesised by cathodic arc-evaporation in order to study the influence of the Al concentration on crystal structure, mechanical properties and oxidation resistance. Structural investigations by X-ray diffraction revealed a transition from the face-centered cubic structure of δ-NbN to the wurtzite structure of AlN at x = 0.45… 0.56 depending on the deposition parameters. The maximum values of the mechanical properties like hardness and residual stress obtained by nanoindentation and biaxial stress temperature measurements, respectively, were found for the coatings with cubic structure and generally decrease with increasing Al content. On the other hand, higher Al concentrations are beneficial in terms of oxidation resistance as shown by annealing experiments in ambient air. The onset temperature for oxidation rises from 600 to 700 °C for Nb_0.73Al_0.27N to above 800 °C for Nb_0.29Al_0.71N regardless of changes in the crystal structure.     

Analysis of wear mechanisms in low-friction AlMgB14-TiB2 coatings

Recent developments in coating science and technology offer new opportunities to enhance the energy-efficiency and performance of industrial machinery such as hydraulic fluid pumps and motors. The lubricated friction and wear characteristics of two wear-resistant coatings, diamond-like carbon and a nanocomposite material based on AlMgB₁₄-50 vol.% TiB₂, were compared in pin-on-disk tribotests using Mobil DTE-24™ oil as the lubricant. In each case, the pins were fixed 9.53 mm diameter spheres of AISI 52100 steel, the load was 10 N, and the speed 0.5 m/s in all tests. Average steady-state friction coefficient values of 0.10 and 0.08 were measured for the DLC and nanocomposite, respectively. The coatings and their 52100 steel counterfaces were analyzed after the tests by X-ray photoelectron and Auger spectroscopy for evidence of material transfer or tribo-chemical reactions. The low-friction behavior of the boride nanocomposite coating is due to the formation of lubricative boric acid, B(OH)₃. In contrast, the low-friction behavior of the DLC coating is related to the relatively low dielectric constant of the oil-based lubricant, leading to desorption of surface hydrogen from the coating.     

Friction and wear behavior of Cu-CeO2 nanocomposite coatings synthesized by pulsed electrodeposition

The friction and wear behavior of copper matrix nanocomposites reinforced with nanosized ceria particles, synthesized by pulse electrocodeposition technique, have been investigated. Tests have been carried out under dry sliding conditions by rubbing against a steel ball at varying loads ranging from 4 to 20 N and at constant speed of 11 rpm using a ball-on-disk wear tester. The experimental results indicate that the wear resistance of copper composite is superior to that of pure copper at all the loads and it improves with the increasing amount of ceria in the copper matrix. The friction coefficient and wear rates increase with the increase in applied load. When the load increases from 4 to 20 N, the transition of wear regime from local damage to delamination of a mechanically mixed layer (MML) occurs.     

Preparation and characterisation of silica/epoxy hybrid nanocomposite coatings containing boehmite nanoparticles for corrosion protection

Abstract

A hybrid silica/epoxy nanocomposite film containing boehmite nanoparticles has been developed in this work through the sol–gel method to protect AA2024 alloy from corrosion. The hybrid sols were prepared by copolymerisation of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, tetraethylorthosilicate and aluminium isopropoxide. The films were prepared by dip coating technique. The morphology and the structure of the hybrid sol–gel films were studied by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The corrosion protection properties of the films were investigated by potentiodynamic scanning and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that the presence of the boehmite nanoparticles in hybrid structure of the silica/epoxy films, highly improved the corrosion protection performance of the coating system.     

Effect of Si addition to CrN coatings on the corrosion resistance of CrN/stainless steel coating/substrate system in a deaerated 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution

CrSiN coatings with different Si concentration (Si/(Cr + Si) ratio: 0, 3.7, 11.7, 20%) were deposited on stainless steel substrates using a closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering (CFUBM) system. The variation in the microstructure of the films with the Si concentration was measured by XRD. The corrosion behavior of the CrSiN coatings in a deaerated 3.5% NaCl solution was investigated by potentiodynamic tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and surface analyses. The microstructure of the CrSiN film was found to depend on the Si concentration. The results of the potentiodynamic polarization tests showed that the corrosion current density and porosity decreased with increasing Si/(Cr + Si) ratio. The EIS measurements showed that the corrosion resistance of the Si-bearing CrN was improved by the phase transformation of the film, which led to an increase in the pore resistance and charge transfer resistance. The Si-bearing CrN possesses the best corrosion resistance at a Si/(Cr + Si) ratio of 20%, measured by the maximization of the pore resistance and charge transfer resistance.     

Polybenzoxazine/SiO2 nanocomposite coatings for corrosion protection of mild steel

A series of nanocomposite coatings (PBS) consisting of silane functional polybenzoxazine (PB-TMOS) and SiO₂ nanoparticles were developed for corrosion protection of mild steel. The influence of silica content on corrosion resistance of PBS coatings was investigated by electrochemical measurements. The surface chemistry of nanoparticles and its effect on morphology of the PBS coating was also studied utilizing Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy, ²⁹Si Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Scanning Electron Microscopy analyses. The results indicate that the presence of the covalent bond between nanoparticles and PB-TMOS, greatly improves the interfacial interactions at the polymer/filler interfaces resulting in a better corrosion performance.     

Optimization of deposition conditions for development of high corrosion resistant Zn-Fe multilayer coatings

Composition modulated multilayer alloy (CMMA) coating of Zn-Fe was developed galvanostatically on mild steel through single bath technique (SBT), using thiamine hydrochloride as additive. Electrodeposits with different coating matrices were developed, using square current pulses. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods were used to assess the corrosion performance of the coatings. The cyclic cathode current densities (CCCDs) and number of layers were optimized, for highest corrosion resistance. Experimental results showed that CMMA Zn-Fe coating, developed at 2.0-4.0 A/dm², having 300 layers is ∼30 times higher corrosion resistant than corresponding monolithic alloy of same thickness. The corrosion resistance increased with number of layers up to a certain number of layers; and then decreased. The better corrosion resistance was attributed to the dielectric barrier at the interface, evidenced by dielectric spectroscopy. The formation of multilayer and corrosion mechanism was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Synthesis and properties of electrodeposited Ni/ceria nanocomposite coatings

Composite plating is a method of co-depositing fine particles of metallic or non-metallic compounds or polymers in the plated layer to improve material properties such as lubrication, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. In the present study, Ni was chosen as the matrix material and ceria nanoparticles were chosen as the distributed phase. Nanocrystalline ceria powder was synthesized by the solution combustion process and characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanosize ceria particles were co-deposited with nickel from a nickel sulfamate bath using conventional electrodeposition method. The electrodeposition was carried out at current densities of 0.23, 0.77, 1.55, 3.1 and 5.4 A/dm². The microhardness of the Ni matrix was enhanced by the incorporation of ceria particles. Potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and SEM were used to characterize the corrosion behaviour of Ni and Ni/CeO₂ coatings. These studies showed improved corrosion resistance for Ni/CeO₂ when compared to Ni. The microhardness, corrosion resistance and wear resistance of Ni and Ni/CeO₂ were compared.     

The effect of processing gas on corrosion performance of electroless Ni-W-P coatings treated by laser

An investigation of the microstructural and corrosion characteristics of electroless Ni-5.5 W-6.5P coatings on steel substrates after laser treatment in argon and air is presented. The microstructural characteristics of the coatings, in terms of crystallisation, grain size, microstrain, porosity as well as surface chemistry, were examined using quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical tests, using potentiodynamic polarisation in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution and electrochemical impedances spectroscopy (EIS) in 3.5% NaCl solution, were undertaken to evaluate the corrosion behaviour of the coatings. The results indicated that the laser-treated coatings consisted of nanocrystalline Ni and Ni₃P phases, along with retained amorphous phase; further, the dimensions of the Ni crystallites were larger than those of Ni₃P. The laser-treated coating in argon revealed the presence of submicron scale porosity, while no porosity was evident in the coating surface treated by laser in air. The uniform corrosion revealed in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution is mainly determined by the microstructural characteristics of the coating. Pitting corrosion in 3.5% NaCl solution depended on the amount of porosity on the surface. The laser-treated coating in air exhibited better corrosion resistance in both acidic and chloride environments than that laser-treated in argon.     

Laser cladding of continuous caster lateral rolls: Microstructure,wear and corrosion characterisation and on-field performance evaluation

Laser cladding has been used to improve the service life of lateral rolls which experience high temperature wear and corrosion in the zero segment zone of continuous slab caster. Three different compositions of nickel base powders with varying chromium, molybdenum, boron and niobium content with different wear and corrosion resistance properties have been used as cladding consumables. The microstructure of the clad layers shows a two phase cellular dendritic structure, with nickel–chrome dendrites surrounded by hard phases rich in chromium and boron or niobium. Hard precipitates contribute to wear resistance whereas the presence of chromium along with molybdenum in nickel-rich matrix improves resistance to corrosion. Actual performance results suggest that the powder material with higher wear resistance property gives the maximum life when the corrosion conditions are less hostile. In rolls cladded with highest boron and nickel containing powders, the layers were intact, whereas fine cracks and de-lamination was observed in the other rolls.     

Effect of nano-Fe2O3 particles on the corrosion behavior of alkyd based waterborne coatings

A nano-composite coating was formed by adding nano-Fe₂O₃ to a specially developed alkyd based waterborne coating system. The interaction of nano-particles with the polymer functionalities was confirmed using FTIR. Curing behavior of the coating was determined by DSC. The uniformity of coating and dispersion of nano-particles in the polymer matrix was investigated using SEM and AFM. The performance of the coating was investigated in terms of their corrosion resistance, UV-resistance, mechanical properties and optical properties. Composite coatings so formed showed enhanced, corrosion resistance, better mechanical properties such as abrasion and scratch hardness and improved UV blocking properties.