Application of ionic and electronic modification of nitride coatings for protection against corrosion during hydrogen feature

Applying nitride or oxide coatings in the form of thin layers is a method that can enhance steel structures and resilience of oil pipelines against flooding and corrosion. Such coatings have excellent corrosion-resistant properties. The article presents the results of an assessment of the use of both ionic and electronic modifications of nitride coatings (TiN) on stainless steel to enhance its resilience against hydrogenation and degradation processes occurring during the hydrogen accumulation in the surface layer. These processes lead to embrittlement and corrosion of steel. O²⁺ and N²⁺ ions with an energy of 20 keV/charge were chosen as ions for modifying the coatings; the irradiation fluences were in the range of 10¹³-10¹⁵ ion/cm² . Electrons with an energy of 500 keV and radiation doses from 100 to 500 kGy were utilised to carry out the electron modification process. The experimental results indicate that modifying the ionic content contributes to the creation of more dislocation defects in the structure. This accumulation of defects results in improved strength and resistance to cracking. Through electron irradiation, the thermal effect primarily modifies the crystal structure, enhancing both its stability and densification. An analysis of the effect of hydrogenation and corrosion has demonstrated that ionic modification using a fluence of 5 × 10¹³ ion/cm² enhances the stability of the coating structure and elevates corrosion potentials.

1. Huang, G., Mandal, M., Hassan, N. U., Groenhout, K., Dobbs, A., Mustain, W. E., & Kohl, P. A. (2020). Ionomer Optimization for Water Uptake and Swelling in Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer: Oxygen Evolution Electrode. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 167(16). (In English). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/abcde3

2. Borodin, O. V., Bryk, V. V., Kalchenko, A. S., Melnichenko, V. V., Voyevodin, V. N., & Garner, F. A. (2013). Synergistic effects of helium and hydrogen on self-ion-induced swelling of austenitic 18Cr10NiТi stainless steel. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 442(1-3), pp. S817-S820. (In English). DOI: 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.05.022

3. Castagnet, S., Ono, H., Benoit, G., Fujiwara, H., & Nishimura, S. (2017). Swelling measurement during sorption and decompression in a NBR exposed to highpressure hydrogen. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 42(30), pp. 19359-19366. (In English). DOI: 10.1016/J.IJHYDENE.2017.06.138

4. Vaz, F., Machado, P., Rebouta, L., Cerqueira, P., Goudeau, P., Riviere, J. P., & De Rijk, J. (2003). Mechanical characterization of reactively magnetron-sputtered TiN films. Surface and Coatings Technology, 174, pp. 375-382. (In English).

5. Massl, S., Thomma, W., Keckes, J., & Pippan, R. (2009). Investigation of fracture properties of magnetron-sputtered TiN films by means of a FIB-based cantilever bending technique. Acta materialia, 57(6), pp. 1768-1776. (In English). DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2008.12.018

6. Abadias, G., Leroy, W. P., Mahieu, S., & Depla, D. (2012). Influence of particle and energy flux on stress and texture development in magnetron sputtered TiN films. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 46(5). (In English). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/46/5/055301

7. Ralls, A., Daroonparvar, M., Kasar, A. K., Misra, M., & Menezes, P. L. (2022). Influence of Friction Stir Processing on the Friction, Wear and Corrosion Mechanisms of Solid-State Additively Manufactured 316L Duplex Stainless Steel. Tribology International, 178. (In English). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2022.108033

8. Ralls, A. M., Kasar, A. K., & Menezes, P. L. (2021). Friction Stir Processing on the Tribological, Corrosion, and Erosion Properties of Steel: A Review. Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing, 5(3), pp. 97-103. (In English). DOI: 10.3390/jmmp5030097

9. Weber, W. J., Duffy, D. M., Thomé, L., & Zhang, Y. (2015). The role of electronic energy loss in ion beam modification of materials. Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science, 19(1). (In English). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cossms.2014.09.003

10. Belotserkovsky, M., Yelistratov, A., Byeli, A., & Kukareko, V. (2009). Steel thermal sprayed coatings: superficial hardening by Nitrogen ion implantation. Welding journal, 88(12), pp. 243-248. (In English).