Microstructure and corrosion resistance of ceramic coating on carbon steel prepared by plasma electrolytic oxidation

Ceramic coating was prepared on Q235 carbon steel by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The microstructure of the coating including phase composition, surface and cross-section morphology were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The corrosion behavior of the coating was evaluated in 3.5% NaCl solution through electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization and open-circuit potential (OCP) techniques. The bonding strength between Q235 carbon steel substrate and the ceramic coating was also tested. The results indicated that PEO coating is a composite coating composed of FeAl₂O₄ and Fe₃O_4. The coating surface is porous and the thickness is about 100 μm. The bonding strength of the coating is about 19 MPa. The corrosion tests showed that the corrosion resistance of Q235 carbon steel could be greatly improved with FeAl₂O₄-Fe₃O₄ composite coating on its surface.     

Bioactive glass nanopowder and bioglass coating for biocompatibility improvement of metallic implant

Preparation and characterization of bioactive glass nanopowder and development of bioglass coating for biocompatibility improvement of 316L stainless steel (SS) implant was the aim of this work. Bioactive glass nanopowder was made by sol–gel technique and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique was utilized to evaluate the powders shape and size. The prepared bioactive glass nanopowder was immersed in the simulated body fluid (SBF) solution at 37 °C for 30 days. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to recognize and confirm the formation of apatite layer on the prepared bioactive glass nanopowder. Bioactive glass coating was performed on SS substrate by sol–gel technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) techniques were used to investigate the microstructure and morphology of the coating. Electrochemical polarization tests were performed in physiological solutions at 37 °C in order to determine and compare the corrosion behavior of the coated and uncoated SS specimens. Cyclic polarization tests were performed in order to compare the pitting corrosion resistance of the coated and uncoated SS specimens. The results showed that the size of bioactive glass powder was less than 100 nm. The formation of apatite layer confirmed the bioactivity of bioglass nanopowder. Bioactive glass coating could improve the corrosion resistance of 316L SS substrate. Bioactive glass coated 316L SS showed more pitting corrosion resistance in compare with pristine samples. It was concluded that by using the bioactive glass coated 316L SS as a human body implant, improvement of corrosion resistance as an indication of biocompatibility and bone bonding could be obtained simultaneously.     

三种电弧喷锌防护涂层在3.5% NaCl溶液中的耐蚀性

采用电弧喷涂技术在Q235钢基体上制备出纯锌、Zn-Al合金和Zn-Al伪合金涂层。通过浸泡试验和电化学测试考察涂层在3.5%NaCl溶液中的腐蚀行为,并结合扫描电镜(SEM)和X射线衍射仪(XRD)分析了涂层腐蚀后的表面形貌及腐蚀产物的相结构。结果表明,在3.5%NaCl溶液中三种涂层的耐腐蚀性按Zn-Al伪合金涂层、Zn-Al合金涂层、Zn涂层的顺序依次降低。     

高黏附性超疏水表面的制备及耐腐蚀性

利用电化学沉积技术在碳钢基底上制备了Co-Ni过渡层,再通过双辉等离子表面合金化技术(DGPSA)在过渡层上沉积了Cr涂层,经全氟辛基三氯硅烷(PFTEOS)溶液修饰后,制备出了具有高黏附性的超疏水表面。利用扫描电镜(SEM)、EDS、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)、接触角测量仪、电化学测试等方法表征了涂层的形貌、物相组成、润湿性能、粘附性以及耐腐蚀性能,探究了DGPSA技术不同沉积时间对Cr涂层表面形貌和润湿性能的影响。结果表明,在沉积温度为750 ℃,沉积时间30 min 时,制备出了具有微纳米乳突状结构的高黏附性超疏水表面,水滴接触角达到159°,水滴在样品倾斜180°也不发生滚落。电化学测试结果证明制备的超疏水表面具有出色的耐腐蚀性能,对碳钢基底起到了良好的腐蚀防护作用。     

Plasma nitriding of plastic mold steel to increase wear- and corrosion properties

In this study, the wear- and corrosion resistance of the layers formed on the surface of a precipitation hardenable plastic mold steel (NAK55) by plasma nitriding were investigated. Plasma nitriding experiments were carried out at an industrial nitriding facility in an atmosphere of 25% N₂ + 75% H₂ at 475 °C, 500 °C, and 525 °C for 10 h. The microstructures of the nitrided layers were examined, and various phases present were determined by X-ray diffraction. Wear tests were carried out on a block-on-ring wear tester under unlubricated conditions. The corrosion behaviors were evaluated using anodic polarization tests in 3.5% NaCl solution.The findings had shown that plasma nitriding does not cause the core to soften by overaging. Nitriding and aging could be achieved simultaneously in the same treatment cycle. Plasma nitriding of NAK55 mold steel produced a nitrided layer consisted of a compound layer rich in ε-nitride and an adjacent nitrogen diffusion layer on the steel surface. Increasing the nitriding temperature could bring about increase in the thickness of the nitrided layer and the nitride volume fraction. Plasma nitriding improved not only surface hardness but also wear resistance. The anti-wear property of the steel was found to relate to the increase in the thickness of the diffusion layer. Corrosion study revealed that plasma nitriding significantly improved corrosion resistance in terms of corrosion potential and corrosion rate. Improvement in corrosion resistance was found to be directly related to the increase in the nitride volume fraction at the steel surface.     

Effect of sintering temperatures on corrosion and wear properties of sol-gel alumina coatings on surface pre-treated mild steel

Sol-gel alumina coatings were developed on the surface pre-treated (zinc-phosphated) mild steel substrate and subsequently sintered at 300 °C, 400 °C and 500 °C. The alumina sol was synthesised using aluminium iso-propoxide as a precursor material. FTIR of the boehmite (AlOOH) gel sintered at above-mentioned temperatures was employed to identify the presence of various functional groups. The microstructural features and the phase analysis of the sol-gel coated specimens were carried out using SEM and XRD respectively. The corrosion resistance of the sol-gel alumina coatings was evaluated by electrochemical measurement in 3.5% NaCl solution at room temperature. The abrasive wear behaviour of the sol-gel coated specimens was measured in two body (high stress) conditions. The experimental results revealed that the sol-gel coated specimen sintered at 400 °C has superior wear and corrosion resistance properties as compared to the sol-gel coated specimen sintered at 300 °C. However, the sol-gel coated specimen sintered at 500 °C has exhibited a very poor corrosion and wear resistance properties. Poor performance of the sol-gel coatings sintered at 500 °C could be explained to be due to (i) the presence of numerous cracks (ii) absence of organic groups in the coating.     

An investigation of pack-aluminide coating on steel

Aluminide coatings are known to protect steels from oxidation and corrosion in hydrocarbon and sulfur-bearing atmospheres. Pack cementation is ideally suited for forming these coatings on small intricate components, wherein a diffused layer is formed which is well bonded to the substrate. Even though pack aluminide coated steels are being commercially used, there has not been any systematic investigation of the factors that control the coating formation. The present investigation has been carried out to define the boundary conditions under which diffusion in the solid phase determine the coating kinetics. The effect of pack activity and temperature on the structure and kinetics of aluminde layer formation on EN-3 steel has been investigated. The coating characteristics were evaluated by metallography, EPMA, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Oxidation resistance of the coated samples were compared to that of 304 stainless steel after heating in air at 900°C for 72 h. The surface aluminum composition was found to be about 20% by weight which remained constant with time in the temperature range of 750°C–900°C. Weight gains and layer thicknesses obeyed parabolic relationship with time at all temperatures. Under these conditions, the system constitutes a vapor-solid diffusion couple. Interdiffusion coefficient values in the Fe-Al system have been determined, and the activation energy has been calculated to be 57 Kcals/mole, which agrees well with the literature values.     

Corrosion Behavior of Anodized Al Coated by Physical Vapor Deposition Method on Cu–10Al–13Mn Shape Memory Alloy

Physical vapor deposition method was utilized to apply Al coating onto Cu–10Al–13Mn alloy, then coated layer was anodized in different temperatures: 5 and 10°C as well as several potentials: 20, 30, 40, 50 V in order to achieve best anodizing parameters. The effects of anodizing parameters on alumina nanotube formation and corrosion resistance were investigated. Phase analysis on surface was conducted by X-ray diffraction method and nanotube characteristics was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface topology was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Additionally, the corrosion resistance of coatings was studied by potentiodynamic test in 1M NaCl solution. The results depicted that whole deposited Al layer was anodized and FCC alumina was formed merely. Polarization test results was illustrated that Al anodized layer significantly improved Cu–10Al–13Mn corrosion resistance. Uncoated specimen had highest corrosion rate and anodized layer in lower temperature and voltage had minimum alumina nanotube dimension; as a result, it had best corrosion behavior in NaCl corrosive solution.     

Structure of Al-modified silicide coatings on an Nb-based ultrahigh temperature alloy prepared by pack cementation techniques

In order to prepare Al-modified silicide coatings on an Nb-based ultrahigh temperature alloy, both a two-stage pack cementation technique and a co-deposition pack cementation technique were employed. The two-stage process included siliconizing a specimen at 1150 °C for 4 h followed by aluminizing it at 800-1000 °C for 4 h. The coating prepared by pack siliconization was composed of a thick (Nb,X)Si₂ (X represents Ti, Cr and Hf elements) outer layer and a thin (Nb,X)₅Si₃ transitional layer; after the siliconized specimens were aluminized at or above 860 °C, a (Nb,Ti)₃Si₅Al₂ phase developed at the surface of the coating, and furthermore, when aluminizing was carried out at 860 °C, a new (Nb,Ti)₂Al layer formed in the coating between the (Nb,X)₅Si₃ layer and the substrate, but when aluminizing was performed at 900-1000 °C, the new layer formed was (Nb,Ti)Al₃. The co-deposition process was carried out by co-depositing Si and Al on specimens at 1000-1150 °C for 8 h under different pack compositions, and it was found that the structure of co-deposition coatings was more evidently affected by co-deposition temperature than pack composition. An Al-modified silicide coating with an outer layer composed of (Nb,Ti)₃Si₅Al₂, (Nb,X)Si₂ and (Nb,Ti)Al₃ was obtained by co-depositing Si and Al at 1050 °C.     

High temperature corrosion behavior of a multilayer CrAlN coating prepared by magnetron sputtering method on a K38G alloy

A multilayer CrAlN coating of Cr_0.58Al_0.42N/Cr_0.84Al_0.16N/Cr_0.51Al_0.49N has been fabricated by a reactive magnetron sputtering method. It consists of a bonding layer, a Cr-rich intermediate layer and an Al-rich outer layer. The multilayer structure provides the coating with good protection against different types of high temperature corrosion, i.e., high temperature oxidation and hot corrosion. The outer Al-rich layer gives the coating good oxidation resistance at 1000 and 1100 °C due to the formation of a continuous alumina scale. The parabolic rate constants of the coated samples decrease by about 2 orders of magnitude compared with that of the bare alloy samples. The intermediate Cr-rich layer can form a Cr₂O₃ scale to provide good protection under the hot corrosion conditions in the Na₂SO₄ salt fluxing at 900, 950 and 1000 °C. The incubation period of the hot corrosion extends several times longer when the alloy was coated by the multilayer coating at the three selected temperatures.     

闭合场非平衡磁控溅射镀Cr-C层的耐蚀性研究

    利用闭合场非平衡磁控溅射离子镀技术在高速钢表面制备Cr-C镀层。采用电化学腐蚀法研究了Cr-C镀层、电镀Cr层及高速钢基体的腐蚀行为.结果表明,在1 mol/L NaCl、1 mol/L HCl及7.5 mol/L NaOH溶液中,闭合场非平衡磁控溅射离子镀制备的Cr-C镀层的耐蚀性优于电镀Cr镀层,并且其Cr含量越高耐腐蚀性越好.     

Characterization and corrosion studies of fluoride conversion coating on degradable Mg implants

Fluoride conversion coating was synthesized on magnesium (Mg) by immersion treatment in hydrofluoric acid (HF) at room temperature, with the aim of improving the corrosion resistance of Mg in applications as degradable implant material. After an immersion period of 24 h in 48% HF, the samples carried a bronze color, and the conversion coating was dense and free of cracks. Field-emission scanning-electron microscopy (FE-SEM) of the cross-section revealed a coating thickness of about 1.5 μm. Atomic-force microscopy (AFM) recorded an average surface roughness of ∼ 21 nm for the coated sample, similar to that of the untreated one (∼ 17 nm). The coating was mainly composed of magnesium fluoride (MgF₂) as identified by thin-film X-ray diffractometry (TF-XRD), consistent with compositional analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The MgF₂ was in the form of crystallites of a few nm. A small amount of oxygen was present inside the coating, suggesting that some F⁻ ions are replaced by hydroxyl (OH⁻) ions in the MgF₂ structure, or that a small amount of Mg(OH)₂ was present. The corrosion resistance of untreated and conversion coated Mg in Hanks' solution was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization tests, and immersion tests. EIS results showed a polarization resistance of 0.18 kΩ cm² for the untreated Mg and 5.2 kΩ cm² for the coated sample, giving an improvement of about 30 times. Polarization tests also recorded a reduction in corrosion current density from 400 μA/cm² to 10 μA/cm², showing an improvement of about 40 times. The galvanic effect between untreated and fluoride-coated Mg samples was small. Immersion tests in Hanks' solution also resulted in a much milder and more uniform corrosion damage on the fluoride-coated samples. The results of the present study showed that fluoride coating by conversion treatment is a simple and promising way of enhancing the corrosion resistance of Mg in Hanks' solution, or that it may be employed as a pretreatment step for subsequent coating.     

Effect of boronizing temperature and time on microstructure and abrasion wear resistance of Cr12Mn2V2 high chromium cast iron

In this study, Cr12Mn2V2 high chromium cast iron (HCCI) was boronized at 900 °C and 950 °C for 2, 4, 6, and 8 h, respectively. The borided samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microhardness tester and ring-on-block wear tester in terms of the phase composition, microstructure and worn surface morphology, microhardness, fracture toughness and abrasive wear resistance. The boride layer thickness ranges from 8 to 33 µm. XRD studies show the boride layer formed at 950 °C/8 h consists of the phases FeB, Fe₂B and CrB, while for the layer formed at 900 °C/8 h, consists of mainly the Fe₂B phase. Abrasive wear test results show that the relative wear resistance of the borided HCCIs increases with increasing surface microhardness.     

Effects of heating temperature and duration on the microstructure and properties of the self-healing coatings

The present work investigates how the heating temperature and duration affect the properties of the self-healing coating on martensitic steels. The coating composed of TiC + mixture (TiC/Al₂O₃) + Al₂O₃ is fabricated by means of air plasma spraying. The thermal shock test is performed at 600 °C, 700 °C and 800 °C, respectively, to evaluate the thermal-mechanical stability of the coating. The cross-section morphology of the samples after 1 h, 9 h, 18 h and 30 h of heat treatment shows that the porosity of the coating decreases with the increase of heating duration. The evaluation of electrochemical performance by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows that the corrosion resistance of the coating after being heated for 18 h is much better than the other samples due to the process of the inner layer being compacted in the coating. The adhesive tensile strength test between coating and substrate shows that the adhesive strength of the coatings is higher than 9 MPa within 40 h of heat treatment at 600 °C. The residual stress reaches a minimum value after the coating was heated for 9 h at 600 °C, then increases with the heating duration after 9 h. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis at the Vickers indentation indicates that the oxygen content at the crack position increases significantly after being heated for 30 h at 600 °C. These experimental results suggest that this coating can meet the requirement of application under the actual temperature conditions.     

非晶态Cr-C合金镀层制备及其耐腐蚀性

以酒石酸为添加剂,采用电沉积法制备了非晶态Cr-C合金镀层。用X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜及能谱仪对镀层结构、形貌及成分进行表征,并对镀层进行电化学耐腐蚀性测试。结果表明,当酒石酸加入量为40g/L时,镀层的X射线衍射图出现非晶态的特征峰,镀层表面平整、致密,无裂纹和针孔,与普通晶态Cr镀层相比,非晶态Cr-C合金镀层具有更优良的耐腐蚀性能。     

Corrosion behaviour and structure of the surface layer formed on austempered ductile iron in concentrated sulphuric acid

The aim of this paper is to investigate the structure of the surface layer formed on austempered ductile iron (ADI) after exposure to hot concentrated sulphuric acid at the open circuit potential value (OCP). The results derived from polarization measurements carried out in sulphuric acid at a temperature of 90 °C show that anodic dissolution of ADI is divided into three stages (corresponding to three anodic dissolution peaks). The structure of the layer formed on alloys at 90 °C at OCP was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM analysis shows that the main elements of the surface layer are iron, silicon, oxygen, sulphur, and carbon. The binding energy recorded in individual bands indicates that the surface layer includes mainly SiO₂ and FeOOH. The presence of sulphur at the lower oxidation state (S²⁻) indicates that sulphuric acid undergoes reduction during this process. The corrosion resistance of these alloys is connected with the presence of SiO₂ in the surface layer.     

Influence of siliconizing on the oxidation behavior of plasma sprayed MoSi2 coating for niobium based alloy

Plasma spraying combined with halide activated pack cementation (HAPC) was used to deposit silicide coating on Nb-based alloy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy disperse spectrum (EDS) indicate the formation of the siliconized NbSi₂ transition layer and the sprayed MoSi₂ outer layer. NbSi₂ layer prepared with HAPC exhibits relatively uneven surface which could promote the deposition of the sprayed MoSi₂. The coating specimen with 5 h siliconizing presented the best oxidation resistance with only 0.18% mass gain after 25 h oxidation at 1200 °C in air. The synergistic protection effect, depending on the continuous silica layer formed on the coating surface and the dispersal silica within the coating and interface, is responsible for the excellent oxidation resistance of the coating.     

Corrosion behavior of Cr3C2-NiCr vacuum plasma sprayed coatings

The objective of the present work is to determine the influence of the heat treatment on the corrosion resistance of a Cr₃C₂-NiCr coating of 450 μm thickness, deposited by a vacuum plasma spray process (VPS) on a steel substrate. The post-heat treatment of the as-deposited coating was carried out in Ar at 400 °C and 800 °C, respectively. The coatings were characterized by means of an electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) with wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometers (WDS). It was found that no significant changes were produced as a consequence of the heat treatment carried out at 400 °C. Therefore, the corrosion experiments were conducted for the substrate, the as-deposited coating and the post-heat treated coating at 800 °C. Potentiodynamic polarization showed that the annealed coating at 800 °C has a better corrosion resistance than the as-deposited coating. The corrosion current density (I_corr) of this coating was approximately 3 and 4 times smaller than that corresponding to the as-deposited coating and steel substrate, respectively. This significant improvement of the corrosion behavior of the post-heat treated coating is mainly due to both the microstructural changes that take place in the coating and the diffusion of Ni into Fe at the coating-substrate interface, which ensures the presence of a metallurgical bond.     

Improvement of corrosion and wear resistances of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel using plasma nitriding at low temperature

The influence of low temperature plasma nitriding on the wear and corrosion resistance of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel was investigated. Plasma nitriding experiments were carried out with DC-pulsed plasma in 25% N₂ + 75% H₂ atmosphere at 350 °C, 450 °C and 550 °C for 15 h. The composition, microstructure and hardness of the nitrided samples were examined. The wear resistances of plasma nitrided samples were determined with a ball-on-disc wear tester. The corrosion behaviors of plasma nitrided AISI420 stainless steel were evaluated using anodic polarization tests and salt fog spray tests in the simulated industrial environment.The results show that plasma nitriding produces a relatively thick nitrided layer consisting of a compound layer and an adjacent nitrogen diffusion layer on the AISI 420 stainless steel surface. Plasma nitriding not only increases the surface hardness but also improves the wear resistance of the martensitic stainless steel. Furthermore, the anti-wear property of the steel nitrided at 350 °C is much more excellent than that at 550 °C. In addition, the corrosion resistance of AISI420 martensitic stainless steel is considerably improved by 350 °C low temperature plasma nitriding. The improved corrosion resistance is considered to be related to the combined effect of the solid solution of Cr and the high chemical stable phases of ?-Fe₃N and α_N formed on the martensitic stainless steel surface during 350 °C low temperature plasma nitriding. However, plasma nitriding carried out at 450 °C or 550 °C reduces the corrosion resistance of samples, because of the formation of CrN and leading to the depletion of Cr in the solid solution phase of the nitrided layer.     

Microstructures and properties of Fe-Co-B-Si-Nb coating prepared by laser cladding and remelting

High power laser cladding of [(Fe0.5Co0.5)0.75B0.2Si0.05] 95.7 Nb4.3 powder mixture afier-remelting was performed to fabricate Fe-based metallic glass coating on the surface of steel of China Classification Society:Grade B (CCS-B).Scanning electron microscopy (SEM),X-ray diffraction (XRD),transmission electron microscopy (TEM)with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS),Vickers hardness tester and corrosion resistance tester were employed to characterize microstructures and evaluate properties of this coating.According to the results of SEM ,XRD and TEM ,the cladding coating consisted of nanocrystalline embedded in amorphous phase.EDS data indicated that Nb segregated in the amorphous matrix.The results of hardness test revealed that the hardness of the top layer was higher than that of the inner layer of the coating.The coating exhibited excellent corrosion resistance in a 3.5% NaCl solution.