CONTROL OF THE CORROSION-RESISTANCE OF TIN-COATED AISI-304 STAINLESS-STEEL

The corrosion resistance of ion-plated TiN on AISI 304 stainless steel was evaluated by the ASTM standard B-117 salt spray test. The experim ental results indicate that the residual stresses in the coating and t he packing factor of the TiN thin film are two important parameters wh ich control the corrosion behavior of the specimens. The residual stre ss in the thin film was estimated, in terms of interfacial shear stres s, by a periodic cracking method. It is found that for the TiN-coated stainless steel good corrosion resistance can be obtained for specimen s with the measured interfacial shear stress lower than similar to 4 G Pa and the packing factor higher than 0.84. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.