Tailoring hardness and electrochemical performance of TC4 coated Cu/a-C thin coating with introducing second metal Zr

• Published in: Corrosion science 2020-08, Vol.172, p.108713, Article 108713
• Main Authors: Khamseh, Sara, Alibakhshi, Eiman, Ramezanzadeh, Bahram, Lecomte, Jean-Sébastien, Laheurte, Pascal, Noirefalize, Xavier, Laoutid, Fouad, Vahabi, Henri
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. Sputtered films; A. Titanium; B. EIS; B. XPS; Biocompatibility; C. Passive films; Charge transfer; Chemical Sciences; Coatings; Copper; Corrosion resistance; Electrochemical analysis; Hardness; Material chemistry; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Polymers; Submerging; Titanium base alloys; Zirconium carbide
• ISSN: 0010-938X; 1879-0496
• DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2020.108713

[Display omitted] •Magnetron sputtering used to prepare novel (Cu, Zr)/a-C composite thin coatings.•Synergistic effects of Cu/Zr was defined, conceptualized, and quantified.•(Cu, Zr)/a-C thin coatings with different Zr/Cu ratios synthesized.•SEM, AFM, Raman, XPS, hardness, and EIS analyses performed.•Composite thin coatings with high hardness and superior bio-corrosion performance obtained. The objective of this study was to develop multifunctional protective biocompatible (Cu, Zr)/a-C: H coatings with good mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance using a sputtering system on the surface of TC4 alloy. Coatings with a higher Zr/Cu ratio showed higher hardness, Young's modulus, and superior bio-corrosion resistance. It was demonstrated that charge transfer resistance of the coating with a higher Zr/Cu ratio enhanced from ∼40 kΩ. cm2 to ∼990 kΩ. cm2 after 168 h of immersion time. The results also showed strong synergistic effects of Cu and Zr, as well as the formation of the zirconium carbide phase on the surface.