Surface morphological characterization of rf-magnetron sputtering developed inconel coated titanium

Abstract

The interconnected usefulness of titanium grade 5 is amplified by the improved mechanical ability and sustainable applications in various industries like the aerospace, medical industry and many more. Despite the profound properties of Ti6Al4V, it is worthy of intellectual study to investigate the possible performance improvement of the material for better operational application. This study adopted the use of RF magnetron sputtering to deposit the target on the substrate material under varying temperatures and deposition power. A total of four samples and control were analyzed for a surface morphological examination and post-sputtering chemical compositional analysis via SEM (scanning electron microscope) and EDX (energy dispersive x-ray analysis). Further investigation on the samples' crystallites was done using XRD (X-ray diffractometer). The SEM images showed low agglomeration and most of the samples were void of pores, cleft and crevices, which implied homogeneous distribution of the target (Inconel thin film) on the titanium substrate. The EDX of the Inconel coated titanium samples revealed elements such as Ti, Si and C, which are beneficial to the properties of the materials. The XRD profiles of the Inconel coated titanium samples disclosed intensities of high peaks, which indicated stability, chemical and microstructural homogeneity of the thin film.