Evaluation of mechanical and physicochemical properties of protection coatings obtained by sol-gel method

Abstract

Thin coatings obtained by the sol-gel method could find potential applications in medical, chemical, and food industry. To achieve this, the coatings must have proper physicochemical, mechanical, and protective properties. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) coatings have been applied to the surface of stainless steel (316L) by the sol-gel method by using two techniques: dip-coating and painting. To determine the physicochemical compositions of triple SiO2 and TiO2 coatings, the samples were examined by the Raman spectroscopy. The surface images obtained with the help of scanning electron microscopy allow us to determine the surface morphology and continuity of the coatings. The surface morphology was examined prior to and after tensile tests. The static tensile tests and fatigue strength tests were carried out in an MTS-810 hydraulic testing machine with a measuring range of up to 100 kN. The preliminary research confirmed the fact that the coatings obtained by the sol-gel method have physicochemical, mechanical, and protective properties required for their application as protective coatings.