Structure and properties of the TiN/ZnO coating obtained by the hybrid method combining PVD and ALD technologies on austenitic Cr-Ni-Mo steel substrate

TiN/ZnO hybrid coatings (combining PVD and ALD technologies) were applied on an AISI 316L steel substrate in the work presented here. For the ALD process, the number of cycles was changed to 500, 1000, and 1500, respectively. This work qualitative analysis using a scanning electron microscope, SEM, elemental analysis using an EDS spectrometer, and morphology studies using an atomic force microscope, AFM. Furthermore, mechanical properties including adhesion, abrasive wear resistance, and roughness were also investigated. Adhesion tests revealed the presence of fine cracks in the TiN/ZnO coating (number of ALD cycles 500) and no delamination. Corrosion tests were conducted in Ringer's solution simulating human body fluids by potentiodynamic and EIS methods. The P_e corrosion protection effectiveness of the tested coatings ranges from 86% to 48%. The hybrid TiN/ZnO hybrid coating produced by the PVD and ALD processes was shown to cause a significant increase in the corrosion resistance of samples made of 316L stainless steel.