The positive impact of the reactive sputtered nanostructured Nb2O5 coatings to reduce the FCG rates of the 2524-T3 alloy in an aggressive medium

• Published in: Emergent materials (Online) 2024-10, Vol.7 (5), p.2129-2141
• Main Authors: Ferreira, M. O. A., dos Santos, K. R., Bon, D. G., Gelamo, R. V., Galo, R., Leite, N. B., Baptista, C. A. R. P., Pinto, H. C., Moreto, J. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry and Materials Science; Energy Materials; Materials Engineering; Materials Science; Original Article
• ISSN: 2522-5731; 2522-574X
• DOI: 10.1007/s42247-024-00746-6

This work investigates the fatigue crack growth (FCG) behaviour of the 2524-T3 aluminium alloy uncoated and coated with reactive sputtered nanostructured Nb 2 O 5 thin films. Fatigue and Fatigue-corrosion tests were carried out in air and an aggressive medium at a stress ratio R = (K min /K max ) of 0.1, employing frequencies of 10 Hz (air) and 0.1 Hz (0.6 mol L -1 NaCl solution), using a sinusoidal waveform. The Nb 2 O 5 coatings were found to positively modify the FCG resistance of the 2524-T3 alloy for the same value of stress intensity factor (ΔK), acting as a protective barrier against localised corrosion process, and reducing FCG rates in aggressive environment. Graphical Abstract Highlights • Fatigue-corrosion tests were performed in sodium chloride solution. • Middle-Tension M(T) specimens were functionalized by using reactive sputtering technique. • The reactive sputtering technique was able to produce Nb 2 O 5 coatings on the 2524-T3 Al alloy. • Nb 2 O 5 coatings decreased the fatigue crack growth rates by 25% in aggressive medium.