Intermetallic Aluminide Coatings by Magnetron Sputtering

It was studied the ways of obtaining the aluminide intermetallic coatings of Al-Ag, Al-Ti, Al-Cr, Al-V and Al-Mn systems by method of simultaneous magnetron sputtering of the reagents. It was produced the synthesis of coatings from stable phases AlAg2 +Ag3Al, AlCr2, Al8Cr5, AlCr2 + Al8Cr5, AlTi, AlTi3, Al8Mn5. The coatings with thickness of 2 μm were carried out on the aluminum and the carbon fiber plates. The study of the coatings was carried out on X-ray diffractometer, the microhardness and electrical conductivity were measured. It was shown that after sputtering of the reagents on the substrate the amorphous, glassy phase is formed except for intermetallic phases Al8V5 and Al3V which were formed during sputtering. It is necessary the heat treatment in a vacuum at 400°C during 1 hour for the synthesis of the intermetallic compound from the amorphous phase. The amorphous phase had a microhardness in the range of 2237-8219 MPa, intermetallic – 1929-8181 MPa. For comparison, the microhardness of high quality steel is about 5500 MPa. The coatings were electroconductive. The coatings are of interest as protective for soft metals, carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), and plastic materials.