Titanium nitride (TiN) coatings were produced on AISI 420 stainless steel by DC magnetron sputtering of a Ti target changing the processing variables, such as the flow rate of $N_2/Ar$, substrate temperature and the existence of Ti interlayer between TiN coatings and substrates. The hardness and residual stress in the films were investigated using nanoindentation and a laser scanning device, respectively. The stoichiometry and surface morphology were investigated using X-Ray Diffraction and SEM. The corrosion property of the films was also studied using a polarization method in NaCl (0.9%) solution. Mechanical properties including hardness and residual stress were related to the ratio of $N_2/Ar$ flow rate. The corrosion resistance also was related to the processing variables.

Indium tin oxide (ITO) films were synthesized on polymer (PES, polyethersulfone) at room temperature by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering. By the control of introducing hydrogen to argon atmosphere, the resistivity of ITO films was obtained at $5.27\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ without substrate heating in comparison with $2.65\;{\times}\;10{-3}\;{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ under hydrogen free condition. ITO film synthesized at Ar condition was changed from amorphous to crystalline. These result from the enhancement of electron temperature in $Ar\;+\;H_2$ plasma, which induces the increase of ionization of target materials and argon. The dominant increase of ions such as In II and O II and neutral Sn I was monitored by optical emission spectroscopy (OES). Thermal energy required for the crystalline film formation is compensated by kinetic energy transfer through ion bombardments to substrate.

In order to enhance the electromagnetic shielding efficiency of commercialized cold-rolled steel sheets, we have prepared Ni deposited steel sheets by the electrodeposition method. Surface alloying with Ni and Fe was achieved on a steel sheet by diffusion annealing process. Shielding effectiveness measurement results showed that annealed Ni electrodeposited steel sheets enhanced the shielding efficiency up to about 3 dB in the frequency range of 20 to 200Hz, compared with that of non-deposited steel sheets.

The passivity behavior of copper anode containing impurities in copper sulfate solution for electrorefining process was studied at several different levels of impurities such as As, Sb, Bi and Pb. The passivity behavior was investigated by electrochemical techniques (galvanostatic, potentiodynamic and cyclic voltammetry tests) and surface analysis (optical microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, scanning electron microscopy). The results were that arsenic, antimony inhibited passivation and bismuth accelerated it and lead containing anode showed different passivity behavior from above anodes. The improved passivity characteristics could be explained by decrease in oxygen content in passivity film which resulted from a reaction among the impurities, oxygen and copper in the anode. The SEM image revealed that arsenic or antimony containing anode exhibited a porous passivity film and bismuth containing anode showed the compact passivity film and lead containing anode had loose passivity film on anode.

The current efficiency of copper anode containing impurities in copper sulfate solution for electrorefining was studied at various current type such as direct current, variable current and periodic reverse current. The passivity behavior was investigated by galvanostatic technique. The results obtained were that current efficiency of variable current was higher than those of direct current and periodic reverse current. The increased current efficiency could be explained by the formation of slime structure with lower average resistance due to variable current. The frequency of various factors in variable current condition has a greatest effect on current efficiency. It appeared that frequency increased current efficiency when increased from 1 to 4, but further increases did not have an effect.

Diamonds have been widely employed as polishing media for precise machining and noble substrates for microelectronics. The recent development of the split sphere press has led to the enhancement of low quality natural diamonds. Synthesized and treated diamonds are sometimes traded deceptively as high quality natural diamonds because it is hard to distinguish among these diamonds with conventional gemological characterization method. Therefore, we need to develop a new identification method that is non-destructive, fast, and inexpensive. We proposed using new methods of UV fluorescence and X-ray Lang topography for checking the local HPHT stress field to distinguish these diamonds from natural ones. We observe unique differences in the local stress field images in treated diamonds using UV fluorescence and Lang topography characterization. Our result implies that our proposed methods may be appropriate for identification of the treated diamonds.

The aluminum nitride(AlN) layer on Al7075 substrate has been formed through nitrogen ion implantation process. The implantation process was performed under the conditions : 100 keV energy, total ion dose up to $2{\times}10^{18}\;ions/cm^2$. XRD analysis showed that aluminum nitride layers were formed by nitrogen implantation. The formation of Aluminum nitride enhanced surface hardness up to 265HK(0.02 N) from 150HK(0.02 N) for the unimplanted specimen. Micro-Knoop hardness test showed that wear resistance was improved about 2 times for nitrogen implanted specimens above $5\;{\times}\;10^{17}\;ions/cm^2$. The friction coefficient was measured by Ball-on-disc type wear tester and was decreased to 1/3 with increasing total nitrogen ion dose up to $1\;{\times}\;10^{18}ions/cm^2$. The enhancement of mechanical properties was observed to be closely associated with AlN formation. AES analysis showed that the maximum concentration of nitrogen increased as ion dose increased until $5\;{\times}\;10^{17}\;ions/cm^2$.

Tribaloy 800 (T800) powder is coated on the Inconel 718 substrate by the optimal High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) thermal spray coating process developed by this laboratory. For the study of the possibility of replacing of the widely used classical chrome plating, friction, wear properties and sliding wear mechanism of coatings are investigated using reciprocating sliding tester both at room and at an elevated temperature of $1000^{\circ}F\;(538^{\circ}C). Both at room temperature and at $538^{\circ}C$, friction coefficients and wear debris of coatings are drastically reduced compared to those of non-coated surface of Inconel 718 substrate. Friction coefficients and wear traces of both coated and non-coated surfaces are drastically reduced at higher temperature of $538^{\circ}C$ compared with those at room temperature. At high temperature, the brittle oxides such as $CoO,\;Co_3O_4,\;MoO_2,\;MoO_3$ are formed rapidly on the sliding surfaces, and the brittle oxide phases are easily attrited by reciprocating slides at high temperature through complicated mixed wear mechanisms. The sliding surfaces are worn by the mixed mechanisms such as oxidative wear, abrasion, slurry erosion. The brittle oxide particles and melts and partial-melts play roles as solid and liquid lubricant reducing friction coefficient and wear. These show that the coating is highly recommendable for the durability improvement coating on the surfaces vulnerable to frictional heat and wear.