Effect of CrYN/TiBN coating on friction performance and corrosion resistance of 316 stainless steel in artificial seawater

CrYN, TiBN, and CrYN/TiBN coatings were successfully deposited on 316 stainless steel substrates via multi-arc ion plating techniques to improve their wear and corrosion resistance properties in marine environments. The morphology, microstructure, friction performance, and corrosion resistance of the three coatings in artificial seawater were systematically studied. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy investigations confirmed a dominant face-centered cubic CrN structure, accompanied by hexagonal TiB _2 and amorphous BN in CrYN/TiBN coatings. The SEM cross-section shows that the TiBN and CrYN/TiBN coatings have a more compact cross-sectional structure than the CrYN monolayer coating. The CrYN/TiBN coatings exhibited the lowest smooth friction coefficient in artificial seawater, and the wear rate was ranked as TiBN < CrYN/TiBN < CrYN. Surface morphological studies performed after tribocorrosion revealed that the protection ability of all three coatings remained acceptable. The electrochemical test showed that the corrosion tendency was CrYN/TiBN < TiBN < CrYN, and the CrYN/TiBN coating had the best performance in the AC impedance spectrum and polarization curve.