Influence of the nitrogen content on the corrosion resistances of multicomponent AlCrNbYZrN coatings

In this study, the relationship between the nitrogen content and the corrosion resistances of non-equimolar multicomponent AlCrNbYZrN films (N = 13-49 at.%) is probed. While there was no linear relationship between nitrogen content and corrosion resistance, the results clearly show that the corrosion resistances of the films were instead determined by their nitrogen-induced porosities i.e. the less porous the sample, the higher the corrosion resistance. The 23, 30 and 37 at.% N samples were denser while the 13 at.% N sample was porous and the 49 at.% N film had an underdense nanocrystalline columnar cross section permitting the ingress of electrolyte.

Automated summary

The study found that the corrosion resistance of AlCrNbYZrN films is not determined by the nitrogen content, but by the nitrogen-induced porosity. Samples with higher nitrogen content are denser and have better corrosion resistance, while samples with lower nitrogen content are more porous and have poorer corrosion resistance.