Preparation and characterization of carbon and titanium carbide coatings

Carbon and titanium carbide coatings were deposited onto 304 and 316 stainless steel, Monel 400, molybdenum and copper substrates by the d.c. diode sputtering method. The former were prepared using a graphite target in an argon atmosphere whereas the latter were deposited using a titanium target in an argon-methane gas mixture. The coatings were characterized using Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The adhesion of the coatings to the substrates and the effect of annealing on their crystallinity were studied.