Influence of the use of different configurations of Ti cathodic cage plasma deposition on the mechanical, tribological and resistance properties of AISI 304 stainless steel.
AISI 304 steel; PVD techniques; PVD films; plasma.
Thin films were deposited on AISI 304 stainless steel substrates using different plasma PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) techniques using cathodic Ti cage – duplex (DPX), simultaneous duplex (DPXS) and deposition (DPS) – with the objective of to evaluate the influence of the technique used in terms of mechanical, tribological and corrosion properties of the films. The samples were analyzed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) characterization techniques, and by Vickers microhardness tests, Rockwell C adhesion, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. The results showed that there was an increase in surface microhardness for all films obtained and with good adhesion characteristics, with emphasis on the samples of duplex and simultaneous duplex treatments. The DPXS treatment sample showed the best wear resistance results and the film that showed the lowest loss of strength to corrosion compared to the substrate without treatment, highlighting the efficiency of this technique in obtaining films with good mechanical, tribological and corrosion properties in shorter treatment times than conventional duplex treatment.