Improvement on the Oxidation Resistance of a Ti3Al Based Alloy by Cr1-xAlxN (0≤x≤0.47) Coatings

Cr1-xAlxN coatings have been deposited on a Ti3Al based alloy by reactive sputtering method. The results of the isothermal oxidation test at 800-900℃ showed that Cr1-xAlxN coatings could remarkably reduce the oxidation rate of the alloy owing to the formation of Al2O3＋Cr2O3 mixture oxide scale on the surface of the coatings. No spallation of the coatings or oxide scales took place during the cyclic oxidation at 800℃. Ti was observed to diffuse into the coatings, the diffusion distance of which was very short, and the diffusion ability of it was proportional to the AI content in the coatings. Compared to Ti, Nb can diffuse much more easily through the whole coatings and oxide scales.