Abstract
In this study, a method for forming a highly adhesive and ductile α-phase tantalum film on 304 stainless steel using the bipolar high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (bipolar HiPIMS) technique was investigated. The growth of brittle β-phase tantalum, which is commonly formed when using conventional direct current magnetron sputtering methods (DCMS) at room temperature, was prevented by the high-energy ions directed toward the growing films. The results showed the formation of an extremely thin (<70 nm) α-phase tantalum film without any additional processes, such as substrate biasing or heating. In addition, a high adhesion strength exceeding 45 MPa, broadened intermixed layer, and nanocrystalline microstructure were achieved by the effect of positive voltage. These results indicate that the bipolar HiPIMS technique is a facile deposition method for modifying the substrate surface and forming high-quality crystalline films. Our tantalum films are optimized to protect substrates against corrosion in severely harsh mechanical, chemical, and thermal environments. To confirm the superiority of the bipolar HiPIMS technique over HiPIMS and DCMS, the properties of the films formed using the three methods were analyzed via X-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and pull-off adhesion testing.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 139668 |
Journal | Thin Solid Films |
Volume | 767 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2023 Feb 28 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by the “Development of Plasma Coating Process for Tantalum Alloys [Contract No. UC200024GD]” program of the Agency for Defense Development under the Leading Defense Core Technology R&D project, equivalently [Code No. 2G11180] of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology in the Republic of Korea, and “Development of Tantalum Plasma Coating Technology to Replace the Chromium Plating [Code No. 2V08500]” program of Korea Institute of Science and Technology in the Republic of Korea.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s)
Keywords
- 304 stainless steel
- Adhesion
- Bipolar high-power impulse magnetron sputtering
- Direct current magnetron sputtering
- α-phase tantalum
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Surfaces and Interfaces
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Metals and Alloys
- Materials Chemistry