MAX phase forming mechanism of M-Al-C(M=Ti,V,Cr)coatings:In-situ X-ray diffraction and first-principle calculations

The interesting hybrid properties of ceramics and metals induced by unique nano-laminated structures make the M_(n+1)AX n(MAX)phase attractive as a potential protective coating for vital structural compo-nents in harsh systems.However,an extremely narrow phase-forming region makes it difficult to prepare MAX phase coatings with high purity,which is required to obtain coatings with high-temperature anti-oxidation capabilities.This work describes the dependence of the phase evolution in deposited M-Al-C(M=Ti,V,Cr)coatings as a function on temperature using in-situ X-ray diffraction analysis.Compared to V_(2)AlC and Cr_(2)AlC MAX phase coatings,the Ti_(2)AlC coating displayed a higher phase-forming tempera-ture accompanied by a lack of any intermediate phases before the appearance of the Ti_(2)AlC MAX phase.The results of the first-principle calculations correlated with the experience in which Ti_(2)AlC exhibited the largest formation energy and density of states.The effect of the phase compositions of these three MAX phase coatings on mechanical properties were also investigated using ex-situ Vickers and nano-indenter tests,demonstrating the improved mechanical properties with good stability at high temperatures.These findings provide a deeper understanding of the phase-forming mechanism of MAX phase coatings to guide the preparation of high-purity MAX phase coatings and the optimization of MAX phase coatings with expected intermediate phases such as Cr_(2)C,V_(2)C etc.,as well as their application as protective coat-ings in temperature-related harsh environments.

Phase orientation improved the corrosion resistance and conductivity of Cr_(2)AlC coatings for metal bipolar plates

In view of the M_(n+1)AX_(n)(MAX)phase coatings benefting the adaptive passivation flm for good corrosion resistance and high electronic density of states for excellent electrical conductivity,here,we reported the Cr_(2)Al C MAX phase coatings with different preferred orientations by a homemade technique consisting of vacuum arc and magnetron sputtering.The dependence of surface and interface microstructural evolution upon the corrosion and electrochemical properties of deposited coating was focused.Results showed that all the Cr_(2)Al C coatings with different phase orientations greatly improved the performance of stainless steel(SS)316 L substrate.Specifcally,the lowest value of interface contact resistance(ICR)reached to 3.16 mΩcm^(2)and the lowest corrosion current density was 2×10^(-2)μA cm^(-2),which were much better than those of bare SS316L.The combined studies of electrochemical properties and theoretical calculations demonstrated that the Cr_(2)Al C coatings with preferred(103)orientation were easier to form oxide passivation flm on their surface to increase the corrosion resistance.