Corrosion-resistant and hard 310 stainless steel-carbon coatings prepared by reactive d.c. magnetron sputtering

Very well adhering 310 stainless steel (SS)-carbon coatings were deposited on low alloyed and high speed steel substrates by reactive cathodic sputtering in mixed Ar-CH 4 discharges using amagnetic austenitic 310 SS targets. Depending on the carbon concentration and the substrate temperature, microcrystalline and amorphous deposits are obtained. Their main structural, mechanical and physiochemical properties are investigated for plane and cylindrical substrates. The results demonstrate the technological interest of these coatings which can improve the properties of mechanical parts with respect to corrosion resistance, wear and friction. Their industrial feasibility is also proved.