Corrosion and wear behaviour of ZrN thin films

Abstract

ZrN coating is an alternative candidate to replace the conventional TiN coating especially for high temperature oxidation resistance applications. ZrN coatings of varying thickness (1·5, 2·0, 2·5, 3·0 and 4·0 μm) were deposited on 316 stainless steel substrates by cathodic arc evaporation in a reactive nitrogen atmosphere. The influences of lamellae thickness on the microstructure, tribological and corrosive properties of the films were investigated. The coefficient of steady state friction of the films ranged from 0·213 to 0·659. The corrosion resistance of the coatings was tested in 1 N H₂SO₄ solution. The results indicate that the microstructure, wear and corrosion properties of the films were dependent on lamellae thicknesses and film structure.

Keywords:

• Cathodic arc evaporation technique
• XRD
• Potentiodynamic test
• Pin on disc
• SEM

This research has been supported by the AICTE Research Promotion Scheme (RPS) entitled ‘Nano Composite Zirconium Based Thin Films for Functional application’, F.no. 8023/RID/BOR/RPS-134/2005–2006. The authors are especially thankful to Professor S. N. Pathak, Head, Materials Engineering Department, VNIT Nagpur, and Dr D. R. Peshwe for their valuable guidance.