In-situ formation characteristic, tribological characterization and anti-corrosion properties of quaternary composites films
(Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering,
Tshwane University of Technology, P.M.B. X680, Pretoria, South Africa)
Tshwane University of Technology, P.M.B. X680, Pretoria, South Africa)
Abstract: Improvements of wear and corrosion properties are essential characteristic in engineering application. A study was made on the structure, electro-oxidation and properties of fabricated Zn-Al-SnO2-TiO2 (Zn-Al-Sn-Ti) thin films using electrodeposition technique from chloride bath. The microstructural studies were performed by scanning electron microscopy with attached energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), optical microscopy (OPM) and X-ray diffractogram (XRD). The electrochemical oxidation and erosion behavior in 3.65% NaCl medium were studied by potentiodynamic polarization technique and characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The hardness and wear behavior of the electrodeposited film were performed by high diamond dura scan microhardness tester and CERT UMT-2 reciprocating sliding machine. It was found that a successful co-deposition of composite and particle were attained. Homogeneous imbedded grain structure distribution and fine refinement of crystal with improved micromechanical behavior was achieved. The corrosion resistance, hardness and wear stability resistance of the fabricated quaternary films improved significantly in all varied process parameter.
Key words: co-deposition; microstructural evolution; anti-corrosion property; composite materials