Influence of various nickel under-layers on the corrosion behaviour of AlNfilms deposited by reactive sputtering

Aluminium nitride films were deposited by reactive sputtering on steel subs trates (H11) with the aim of realizing anti-corrosion coatings. Electrochem ical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests performed in a 0.5-M NaCl solution showed a good corrosion resistance of the films, which, however, decreased drastically with immersion time. The relatively weak thickness (1 mum) of t he AlN films combined with their columnar structure [observed by scanning e lectron microscopy (SEM)] permits the pathway of the electrolyte to the ste el substrate. In order to create a corrosion barrier between AlN and steel, two types of nickel under-layers (obtained by both electroless and electro chemical techniques) were investigated. All these samples were analysed by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and SEM. The Wurz tite type hexagonal structure of AlN films remained unchanged despite the p resence of a nickel under-layer. The electroless nickel samples have a micr o crystalline structure and a flat surface,whereas the electrochemical coat ings are well crystallized and present a relatively high roughness. During the deposition of AW on electroless nickel a structural transition occurs, with the precipitation of a Ni3P phase, well known to enhance the hardness of the samples. EIS measurements pointed out the synergetic effect obtained by the combination of an AlN coating with a nickel under-layer, leading to impedance values superior to the sum of the two effects considered separat ely. The AIN sample with an electroless nickel under-layer presents the bes t corrosion resistance with time. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.