Abstract
A Cr layer of approximately 500 nm thickness has been deposited on Zy-4 alloy using thermionic vacuum arc (TVA) method. The coating microstructure and morphology have been investigated using specific analysis techniques (X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and X- ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy). To assess the protective character of the metallic Cr coating, electrochemical measurements have been performed. The higher values of impedance and phase angle obtained for the coated Zy-4 sample indicates a protective character of the metallic Cr layer. In the same time, results obtained from the potentiodynamic polarization tests, showed a better corrosion behaviour of coated Zy-4 sample than uncoated sample. All the applied methods indicate an improving of the corrosion behaviour of Zy-4 alloy after coating with thin metallic Cr layer.
