Abstract
Type 304SS coatings were performed at 200$\square$ onto AISI 1045 carbon steel substrate using unbalanced magnetron sputtering (UBMS) with an austenitic AISI 304 stainless steel (SS) target of 100mm diameter. The total deposition pressure in the active Ar gas was 2$\times$10$^{-3}$ Torr. Coatings were done at various target power densities and bias voltages. Chemical compositions of metallic elements of the coatings were measured by energy dispersive X-rays spectroscopy (EDS). The structure and the morphology of Type 304SS coatings were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Corrosion properties of the coated specimens were examined using electrochemical polarization measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a deaerated 3.5% NaCl solution. The porosity rate was obtained from a comparison of the dc polarization resistance of the uncoated and coated substrates. Scratch adhesion testing was used to compare the critical loads for different coatings. XRD results showed that the sputtered films exhibit a ferritic b.c.c. $\alpha$-phase. Potentiodynamic polarization curves indicated that all samples had much higher corrosion potential and better corrosion resistance than the bare steel substrate. The corrosion performance increased with increasing power density and the adhesion was enhanced at the bias voltage of -50V. An improvement in the corrosion resistance can be obtained with a better coating adhesion. Finally, an optimized deposition condition for corrosion protection was found as $40W/cm^2$ and -50V.