Oxygen-driven shell-like microstructure: a pathway to high-performance PVD Cr coatings for metal protection

Meiqi Zhang; Li Wang; Zhenyu Wang; Yong Cheng; Guanshui Ma; Shiyao Tan; Peiling Ke; Aiying Wang

doi:10.1038/s41529-025-00591-w

npj Materials Degradation (May 2025)

Oxygen-driven shell-like microstructure: a pathway to high-performance PVD Cr coatings for metal protection

Meiqi Zhang,
Li Wang,
Zhenyu Wang,
Yong Cheng,
Guanshui Ma,
Shiyao Tan,
Peiling Ke,
Aiying Wang

Affiliations

Meiqi Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Li Wang: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhenyu Wang: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yong Cheng: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Guanshui Ma: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shiyao Tan: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Peiling Ke: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Aiying Wang: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-025-00591-w
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Chromium (Cr) coatings, known for their corrosion resistance and luster, often suffer from coarse columnar grains when fabricated by physical vapor deposition (PVD), limiting their performance. This study employs high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) with oxygen doping (8.3 at.%) to enhance Cr coatings on 316 L stainless steel. The optimized coating exhibits a unique shell-like microstructure, increasing hardness by 55% and improving crack resistance. Oxygen doping also reduces corrosion current density by over an order of magnitude, forming a continuous, low-defect amorphous passivation film for superior corrosion protection. This approach offers a simple yet effective strategy to advance Cr coating performance for industrial applications.

Published in npj Materials Degradation

ISSN: 2397-2106 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.nature.com/npjmatdeg/

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