Phase and roughness analysis of nanocrystalline coatings based on 310S steel with aluminum additions
J. Min. Metall. Sect. B-Metall., 62 (1) (2026) 81-90. DOI:10.2298/JMMB250811007S
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Available online 15 maj 2026
(Received 09 October 2025; Accepted 07 May 2026)
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Aluminum alloying is commonly used to improve high-temperature oxidation resistance. In this study, Al was incorporated into nanocrystalline coatings produced by magnetron sputtering of 310S chromium–nickel steel. The effect of this addition on the phase composition and morphology of the coatings, which influence the formation of protective oxide layers under high-temperature conditions, was investigated. The coatings were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), with emphasis on surface roughness, as well as X-ray diffractometry (XRD) to determine crystallite size and phase composition. The results showed that the addition of aluminum affects phase stability in the coatings. At Al contents of 1–2 at.%, there is a twofold reduction in the fraction of the fcc phase in the coating (and its disappearance at 5 at.%), along with a similar decrease in surface roughness. At the same time, crystallite size increases while the nanocrystalline structure is retained, creating favorable conditions for the formation of dense Al₂O₃ oxide layers on the coatings.
Keywords: Magnetron sputtering; Austenitic steel X8CrNi25-21; PVD coatings
Correspondence Address:
Mariola Spalik,
The Jacob of Paradies University, Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poland;
email: m.spalik@interia.pl
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