The electrochemical properties of PVD-grown WC-( $Ti_{1-x}$A $I_{x}$)N multiplayer films in a 3.5% NaCl solution

WC-( $Ti_{1-x}$ A $l_{x}$) N coatings of constant changing Al concentration were deposited on S45C substrates by high-ionization sputtered PVD method. The Al concentration could be controlled by using evaporation source for Al and fixing the evaporation rate of the metals (i.e, WC- $Ti_{0.86}$A $l_{0.14}$N, WC- $Ti_{0.72}$A $l_{0.28}$N, and WC- $Ti_{0.58}$A $l_{0.42}$N). The corrosion behavior of WC-( $Ti_{1-x}$ A $l_{x}$)N coatings in a deaerated 3.5% NaCl solution was investigated by electrochemical corrosion tests and surface analyses. The measured galvanic corrosion currents between coating and substrate indicated that WC- $Ti_{0.72}$A $l_{0.28}$N coating showed the best resistance of the coating tested. The results of potentiodynamic polarization tests showed that the WC- $Ti_{0.72}$A $l_{0.28}$N coating deposited with 32W/c $m^2$ of Al target revealed higher corrosion resistance. This indicated that the WC- $Ti_{0.72}$A $l_{0.28}$N coating is effective in improving corrosion resistance. In EIS, the WC- $Ti_{0.72}$A $l_{0.28}$N coating showed one time constant loop and increased a polarization resistance of coating ( $R_{coat}$) relative to other samples. Compositional variations of WC-( $Ti_{1-x}$ A $l_{x}$)N coatings were analyzed by EDS and XRD analysis was performed to evaluate the crystal structure and compounds formation behavior. Surface morphologies of the films were observed using SEM and AFM. Scratch test was performed to measure film adhesion strength.strength. adhesion strength.strength.