Corrosion properties of PACVD TiN coating on austenitic stainless steel X5CrNiMo17-12-2

Austenitic stainless steels exhibit good corrosion resistance; however, their long-term durability in aggressive environments may be limited. The application of thin protective coatings can further enhance the surface corrosion resistance while preserving the favorable properties of the base material. In this paper, the effect of a TiN coating deposited by the PACVD process on the corrosion properties of X5CrNiMo17-12-2 austenitic stainless steel was investigated. Characterization of the TiN coating included roughness, coating thickness and adhesion measurements. Corrosion resistance was evaluated using direct current electrochemical methods under simulated marine atmospheric conditions, including the analysis of relevant polarization curve parameters. The obtained results enable an assessment of the effectiveness of the TiN coating in improving the corrosion resistance of the investigated steel.