Surface & Coatings Technology 

About: Surface & Coatings Technology is an academic journal published by Elsevier BV. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Coating & Thin film. It has an ISSN identifier of 0257-8972. Over the lifetime, 26317 publications have been published receiving 769218 citations. The journal is also known as: Surface & coatings technology & Surface and coatings technology.

Plasma electrolysis for surface engineering

Abstract: This paper overviews the relatively new surface engineering discipline of plasma electrolysis, the main derivative of this being plasma electrolytic deposition (PED), which includes techniques such as plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) and plasma electrolytic saturation (PES) processes such as plasma electrolytic nitriding/carburizing (PEN/PEC). In PED technology, spark or arc plasma micro-discharges in an aqueous solution are utilised to ionise gaseous media from the solution such that complex compounds are synthesised on the metal surface through the plasma chemical interactions. The physical and chemical fundamentals of plasma electrolysis are discussed here. The equipment and deposition procedures for coating production are described, and the effects of electrolyte composition and temperature on ignition voltage, discharge intensity and deposited layer thickness and composition are outlined. AC-pulse PEO treatment of aluminium in a suitable passivating electrolyte allows the formation of relatively thick (up to 500 μm) and hard (up to 23 GPa) surface layers with excellent adhesion to the substrate. A 10–20 μm thick surface compound layer (1200HV) and 200–300 μm inner diffusion layer with very good mechanical and corrosion-resistant properties can also be formed on steel substrates in only 3–5 min by use of the PEN/PEC saturation techniques. Details are given of the basic operational characteristics of the various techniques, and the physical, mechanical and tribological characteristics of coatings produced by plasma electrolytic treatments are presented.

A novel pulsed magnetron sputter technique utilizing very high target power densities

Abstract: Using a novel pulsed power supply in combination with a standard circular flat magnetron source, operated with a Cu target, a peak power density of 2800 W cm -2 was achieved. This results in a very intense plasma with peak ion current densities of up to 3.4 A cm −2 at the substrate situated 10 cm from the target. The ionized fraction of the deposited Cu flux was estimated to be approximately 70% from deposition rate measurements. The potential for high-aspect-ratio trench filling applications by high power pulsed magnetron sputtering is demonstrated by deposition in via-structures. The high power pulsed technique also results in a higher degree of target utilization and an improved thickness uniformity of the deposited films compared with conventional d.c. magnetron sputtering.

Hard and superhard nanocomposite coatings

Abstract: This article reviews the development of hard coatings from a titanium nitride film through superlattice coatings to nanocomposite coatings. Significant attention is devoted to hard and superhard single layer nanocomposite coatings. A strong correlation between the hardness and structure of nanocomposite coatings is discussed in detail. Trends in development of hard nanocomposite coatings are also outlined.

Modern approaches to marine antifouling coatings

Abstract: Marine structures such as platforms, jetties and ship hulls are subject to diverse and severe biofouling. Methods for inhibiting both organic and inorganic growth on wetted substrates are varied but most antifouling systems take the form of protective coatings. Biofouling can negatively affect the hydrodynamics of a hull by increasing the required propulsive power and the fuel consumption. This paper reviews the development of antifouling coatings for the prevention of marine biological fouling. As a result of the 2001 International Maritime Organization (IMO) ban on tributyltin (TBT), replacement antifouling coatings have to be environmentally acceptable as well as maintain a long life. Tin-free self-polishing copolymer (SPC) and foul release technologies are current applications but many alternatives have been suggested. Modern approaches to environmentally effective antifouling systems and their performance are highlighted.

Overview on advanced thermal barrier coatings

Abstract: During the last decade a number of ceramic materials, mostly oxides have been suggested as new thermal barrier coating (TBC) materials. These new compositions have to compete with the state-of-the-art TBC material yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) which turns out to be difficult due to its unique properties. On the other hand YSZ has certain shortcomings especially its limited temperature capability above 1200 °C which necessitates its substitution in advanced gas turbines. In the paper an overview is tried on different new materials covering especially doped zirconia, pyrochlores, perovskites, and aluminates. Literature results and also results from our own investigations will be presented and compared to the requirements. Finally, the double-layer concept, a method to overcome the limited toughness of new TBC materials, will be discussed.