Antibacterial TaC-(Fe,Cr,Mo,Ni)-(Ag/Cu) Composite Coatings with High Wear and Corrosion Resistance in Artificial Seawater

Abstract

The synergistic effect of simultaneous mechanical wear, chemical/electrochemical corrosion (tribocorrosion) and microbial attack poses a serious threat to marine and coastal infrastructure. To address this important problem, we have developed composite coatings consisting of TaC (25–35 at.%) and a corrosion-resistant α-Fe(Cr,Ni,Mo)-based metal matrix, as well as bactericidal elements (Cu, Ag). Coatings 50–75 μm thick were obtained by electrospark deposition in vacuum. The coatings possess high hardness (up to 10 GPa) and resistance to cyclic dynamic loads compared with the stainless steel (SS) substrate. Tribocorrosion experiments showed that the decrease in the corrosion potential associated with the removal of a passivating film from the surface during friction was 2–2.5 times smaller for the Ag-containing coating than for the other tested materials. The material passivation rates were also different: almost instantaneous passivation of the Ag- and Cu-doped coatings, and slow passivation for several minutes of the Ag/Cu-free coating and SS. The Ag-containing coating shows the lowest friction coefficient (0.2–0.25) and a minimal wear rate (1.6 × 10−6 mm3/Nm) in artificial seawater. The Ag-doped coating also exhibits the most positive value of corrosion potential and the lowest current density. After exposure in seawater for 20 days, only the Ag-doped coating showed no signs of pitting corrosion. All the studied materials have a pronounced bactericidal effect against Bacillus cereus Arc30 bacteria. The resulting coatings can be used to protect steel products from tribocorrosion and fouling in seawater.