Al2O3-ZnO atomic layer deposited nanolaminates for improving mechanical and corrosion properties of sputtered CrN coatings

The 316 L Stainless Steel is widely used as structural material in marine applications and subject to localized pitting corrosion chlorinated environments. main aim of the present work development coatings that are alternately deposited by a combination Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) Atomic Layer (ALD) techniques. Three different architectures PVD/ALD, ALD/PVD PVD/ALD/PVD were studied. layer Al2O3, ZnO Al2O3-ZnO nanolaminates thin films inserted sealing, top or inter layers within CrN sputtered films. texture modification, morphology, preferred orientation growth, mechanical properties, wettability resistance investigated. nanoindentation measurements confirmed increase hardness studied coatings. Electrochemical properties behavior these NaCl solution. architecture was found be most efficient provide an improvement resistance. CrN/[Al2O3-ZnO]n/CrN coating presents best protection performance with lowest current. combinatory approaches used, great potential for advanced specific compositions can effectively applications, especially corrosive