Structure and related corrosion behaviour in 1M H2SO4 of b.c.c. 304L filmsprepared by ion beam sputtering

The corrosion behaviour in a non-deaered 1M H2SO4 solution of 304L stainles s steel (SS) in bulk and thin film state was investigated. In the first ste p, we elaborated based cubic-centred 304L stainless steel thin films onto S i and f.c.c. 304L SS bulk substrates by using a sputter deposition method. Then, the structure and residual macrostress state of the films were studie d by X-ray diffraction. It was found that films are in a highly compressive state (approximate to 3 GPa). Finally, corrosion tests revealed an improve ment in corrosion resistance of the films with respect to the bulk 304L sta inless steel. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.