Development of yttria-doped zirconia thin films on mild steel by a sol-gelprocess

An homogeneous transparent Sol of 8 wt% Y2O3-doped ZrO2 (YZ) was prepared b y the Sol gel process using inorganic salts and anion exchange resins, This Sol provided a crack-free fine-grained Thin films of yttria-doped zirconia Sol were deposited by a dip coating technique on mild steel (MS) substrate s for the protection of this widely used material from chemical attack. The coated specimens were heat treated in the temperature range 773-1123 K Cha racterizations of the thin-layers deposited were performed adopting thermal . morphological analysis and thickness measurement methods. The phase ident ification and analysis were carried out using X-ray diffraction. The coatin gs obtained after the heat treatment to 1070 K developed fine grain structu re with a smooth surface. Heat treatment at 1070 K gave good resistance to chemical attack along with improved microhardness properties.