ANTICORROSION TITANIUM-OXIDE COATINGS DEPOSITED BY PULSED-LASER ABLATION

Titanium oxide coatings have been deposited on to iron and steel subst rates, by pulsed laser ablation, to prevent corrosion from foods and c orrosive agents. The films, deposited from laser ablation of a titaniu m target in a vacuum chamber containing oxygen, have been characterise d by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to analyse their composition, an d by electrochemical tests to study the homogeneity of the coating and its resistance to corrosion. X-ray diffraction analysis has been also used to study film structure. Laser fluence, substrate temperature an d oxygen pressure have been optimised to improve the technological cha racteristics of the deposits. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.