Preparation of Zr-Cu Coatings on Copper Substrate Using a Molten Salt Method

Abstract

Dense zirconium coatings on copper substrates were obtained in an alumina crucible and a stainless steel crucible from FLiNaK-K₂ZrF₆ molten salt at 1 023 K. Due to the potential differences between copper and zirconium, zirconium can diffuse into the copper substrate to form zirconium alloys on the surface of copper substrates in the course of deposition. The coating deposited in a stainless steel crucible has a gray surface. The components of the coating are mainly CuZr₂ alloy and Cu₁₀Zr₇ alloy, and, the outermost layer of the coating is a layer of amorphous pure zirconium. The coating deposited in an alumina crucible has a silvery white metallic luster. The components of the coating are mainly Cu-Zr-Al intermetallic compounds, AlCu₂Zr, ZrAl, AlCu and CuZr. Furthermore, two types of zirconium coatings can greatly increase the hardness of the substrate.

Keywords

coating / Zr-Cu / molten salt / intermetallic compounds

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