ABSTRACT
Titanium nitride is a compound that finds wide use because of its interesting mechanical and optical properties as well as its very good corrosion resistance.
The aim of this work is the study of the corrosion resistance properties, in acidic and neutral solution, of some (Ti,Cr)N x films deposited by reactive cathodic sputtering. Chromium was chosen because of its aptitude to produce passive oxide layers with excellent protective properties and is used in the production of stainless steels.
Coating films were deposited on an inert glass substrate and on an AISI 304 stainless steel under optimised sputtering conditions.
Chromium appears to be beneficial as far as the corrosion resistance of titanium nitride is concerned, in particular when the chromium content is more than 14%.
Nitride coatings are also able to improve the corrosion resistance of AISI 304 stainless steel in sulfuric acid solutions more than in hydrochloric acid.
The preparation of bilayer coatings allows a further increase of the protection properties of these nitrides to be achieved and, in particular, in the resistance to localised attack.
