Sputter deposition of a corrosion-resistant amorphous metallic coating

Journal of Materials Research volume 3, pages862–871(1988)Cite this article

Abstract

Starting with corrosion-resistant amorphous Fe32Ni36Cr14P12B6 alloy material, rf sputter deposition has been successfully used to deposit amorphous thin films very similar in composition onto low-carbon (i.e., 1008) steel. The effects that varying sputter deposition parameters has on a film’s corrosion resistance, microstructure, and chemical composition have been examined. Optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy, Auger depth profiling, and x-ray diffraction were used to characterize the microstructure and composition of the films, while the corrosion resistance was determined by anodic polarization in basic and acidic solutions. A ∼4000 Å thick amorphous film sputtered at ambient temperature onto a 0.05 μm polished 1008 steel substrate improved the corrosion resistance of the steel in a buffered borate solution by lowering the steel’s critical current density by two orders of magnitude and by raising its corrosion potential by ∼0.4 V. Bias voltage sputtering was required to produce a film with properties that could withstand a sulfuric acid solution. For example, a film sputtered at – 70 V at ambient temperature onto a steel substrate passivated in sulfuric acid solution, whereas the steel was completely active in this solution without the sputtered film. Passive current densities in this case were ∼2x102μA/cm2. In both solutions the improved corrosion resistance was exhibited by films with lower oxygen content and a denser microstructure. Thus a direct correlation between corrosion resistance, microstructure, and composition is shown.

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Affiliations

  1. Physical Chemistry Department, General Motors Research Laboratories, Warren, 48090-9055, Michigan, USA

    Natalia L. Lee, Galen B. Fisher & Robert Schulz

Authors
  1. Natalia L. Lee
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  2. Galen B. Fisher
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  3. Robert Schulz
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Correspondence to Natalia L. Lee.

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Lee, N.L., Fisher, G.B. & Schulz, R. Sputter deposition of a corrosion-resistant amorphous metallic coating. Journal of Materials Research 3, 862–871 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.1988.0862

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