Antibacterial TaC-(Fe,Cr,Mo,Ni)-(Ag/Cu) Composite Coatings with High Wear and Corrosion Resistance in Artificial Seawater

The synergistic effect of simultaneous mechanical wear, chemical/electrochemical corrosion (tribocorrosion) and microbial attack poses a serious threat to marine coastal infrastructure. To address this important problem, we have developed composite coatings consisting TaC (25–35 at.%) corrosion-resistant α-Fe(Cr,Ni,Mo)-based metal matrix, as well bactericidal elements (Cu, Ag). Coatings 50–75 μm thick were obtained by electrospark deposition in vacuum. possess high hardness (up 10 GPa) resistance cyclic dynamic loads compared with the stainless steel (SS) substrate. Tribocorrosion experiments showed that decrease potential associated removal passivating film from surface during friction was 2–2.5 times smaller for Ag-containing coating than other tested materials. material passivation rates also different: almost instantaneous Ag- Cu-doped coatings, slow several minutes Ag/Cu-free SS. shows lowest coefficient (0.2–0.25) minimal wear rate (1.6 × 10−6 mm3/Nm) artificial seawater. Ag-doped exhibits most positive value current density. After exposure seawater 20 days, only no signs pitting corrosion. All studied materials pronounced against Bacillus cereus Arc30 bacteria. resulting can be used protect products tribocorrosion fouling