Microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion performance of Fe44Cr15Mo14Co7C10B5Si5 thin film metallic glass deposited by DC magnetron sputtering

•The novel Fe44Cr16Mo14Co7C10Si5B5 TFMGs were deposited at different sputtering currents (power) of 0.1 A (40 W), 0.2 A (100 W) and 0.3 A (174 W).•The amorphous phase was obtained for all thin films.•The deposition at different sputtering currents affected on the surface morphology, topography and cross-sectional growth of TFMGs.•Increase the sputtering current led to an increase in surface roughness, nanohardness, Young's modulus, fracture toughness and pile-up value.•The Fe-based TFMG prepared at sputtering current of 0.3 A exhibited an excellent corrosion resistance along with good mechanical properties. Fe–Cr–Mo–Co–C–B–Si thin film metallic glasses were prepared through DC magnetron sputtering under different sputtering currents. Microstructural studies of the thin films were carried out using GIXRD, FE-SEM, AFM and TEM techniques. Nanoscratch, nanoindentation and fracture toughness were used for investigation of mechanical properties. Corrosion behaviors were evaluated by polarization potentiodynamic, potentiostatic and impedance tests. A broad hump was observed from GIXRD pattern showing formation of the amorphous structure and full glassy phase was confirmed by the SAED pattern. The deposition at different sputtering currents affected on the microstructure properties such as surface morphology, topography and cross-sectional growth of TFMGs. Increase the sputtering current led to an increase in surface roughness, nanohardness, Young's modulus, fracture toughness and pile-up value of TFMG as well as coefficient of friction and elastic recovery of TFMG decreased. The TFMG prepared at sputtering current of 0.3 A exhibited an excellent corrosion resistance along with good mechanical properties.