Plasma procedures were used for the deposition of polymer barrier laye
rs that are highly cross-linked as a consequence of the molecular frag
mentation of the feed gases. Plasma polymers from vinyltrimethysilan (
VTMS) as feed gas showed good protection against chemical and electroc
hemical attacks on gold (against 4 M H2SO4). A combination of a plasma
-VTMS primer covered by a plasma hydrocarbon layer showed good resista
nce against alkaline corrosion on aluminium. (C) 1998 Published by Els
evier Science S.A.