The sol-gel method leads to pure and homogeneous materials with wide range of properties. This way the materials can be made in various forms such as powder, fibres, plates or in the form of thin layers. Low temperature of the synthesis, the ease of the process, the purity of thin layers and low cost are main advantages of sol-gel coating technics.
In the context of Master's Thesis, a thin layer of Al2O3 film was prepared on a non-alloy steel C45 by sol-gel technic. Al2O3 thin film fabricated by dip coating method was dried under various conditions. Coatings were analysed by an optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM) with attached EDXS detector as well as with atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effect of the coatings on the decarburization and oxidation of the steel was investigated during the annealing at temperatures below the AC1 (600 °C and 700 °C) and above the AC3 (850 °C and 950 °C) and at different annealing times of ½ hour to 4 hours in the air atmosphere. Experiments of corrosion resistance in a salt chamber were also carried out in accordance with ISO 9227 and the influence of a thin coating of Al2O3 on the corrosion resistance of steel C45 was investigated. Al2O3 coatings were successfully deposited onto steel C45. It was found that the coatings of Al2O3 tightly cling to the steel surface and are relatively smooth. The quality of coatings depends on the drying conditions, particularly on the temperature. Compact thin film without cracks is effective in improving the corrosion resistance of steel. The effect of the Al2O3 coating on decarburization of normalized steel was not significant; however, it slightly lowered the carburization rate at tempering conditions in the case of quenched steel. The results indicate that at lower temperatures, when the coating of Al2O3 is still compact and thus less permeable to gases, slows down the process of decarburization. At higher temperatures, the coating slightly slow down the oxidation of the steel according to the carbon diffusion, which in some cases results in a slightly larger decarburization.
|