Enhancing wear and corrosion resistance of AISI410 stainless steel in simulated seawater environments through PVD sputtering of TiCrN and CrSiN coatings

To improve the tribological performance of SS410 steel in seawater, TiCrN and CrSiN coatings were deposited using PVD sputtering and thoroughly analyzed. The CrSiN coating, which exhibits higher hardness and better corrosion resistance, achieved a protective efficiency of 83.70%, surpassing the TiCrN coating by 14% according to anodic polarization tests. Friction and wear properties were evaluated with a ball-on-disk tribometer in artificial seawater, following ASTM G77 standards. The CrSiN coating demonstrated lower friction coefficients and wear rates—1.362 × 10⁻⁶ mm 3 /N-m compared to 2.632 × 10⁻⁶ mm 3 /N-m for TiCrN at a 4N load—highlighting the positive impact of Si addition. These coatings markedly enhance the tribocorrosion resistance of AISI 410 steel, addressing issues in marine engine components, extending their service life, and ensuring reliable performance in severe marine conditions. SEM analysis of the uncoated SS410 surface revealed pits and deep grooves.