project period: 01.07.2019 – 30.06.2022
Research Institutions:
TU Darmstadt – Institute of Materials Science
Abstract
For components that are simultaneously exposed to corrosive and tribological stresses, hard chrome coatings remain the first choice. However, the restrictions on the use of chromium(VI)-containing electrolytes since 2017 due to the REACH regulation, along with increasingly stringent environmental requirements, necessitate the identification of alternative surface protection systems in many areas. Therefore, there is a strong economic interest in developing PVD hard coatings that not only offer superior tribological properties but also provide corrosion protection for unalloyed and low-alloyed tempered steels. So far, however, no industrial PVD coatings are available that meet these requirements. With the results of the predecessor project IGF 19124N, a starting point for competitive PVD coating systems is available for the first time.
The main objective of the proposed research project is to optimize the performance of TiMgSEN-based PVD coatings to improve the corrosion and wear protection of unalloyed and low-alloyed steels with application-specific individualized requirement profiles.
The results aimed for in the project hold the following innovation potential:
Exploration of new industrial application areas where PVD coatings have not yet been used due to their previously limited corrosion protection capabilities.
– Identification of limit values and parameter windows to ensure reproducible coating results.
Improvement of environmental and health protection by eliminating chemicals, particularly the carcinogenic hexavalent chromium acid electrolytes used for producing hard chrome coatings.
Economic advantages, as a higher value creation can be achieved with the proposed PVD coating systems compared to those currently available, while maintaining similar coating costs
– Ensuring reproducible coating results and guaranteeing corrosion and wear protection by means of application-specific individualized coatings.
Publications:
H. Hoche, C. Pusch, M. Oechsner: “Corrosion and wear protection of mild steel substrates by innovative PVD coatings.”
Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 391, June 15, 2020, 125659
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2020.125659
T. Ulrich, C. Pusch, H. Hoche, P. Polcik, M. Oechsner: Boosting the wear and corrosion properties of PVD-TiMgGdN coated mild steels using novel powder metallurgical TiMgGd targets.
Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 422, 25 September 2021, 127496
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2021.127496
