Oxide formation on sputtered Ni-3Cr-10Al nanocrystalline coating

The oxide formation on the sputtered Ni 3Cr 10Al nanocrystalline coating at 900 ℃ and 1 000 ℃ in air has been studied. The results indicated that an oxide scale composed of NiAl 2O 4 and Al 2O 3 was formed on the sputtered Ni 3Cr 10Al nanocrystalline coating whereas a unitary Al 2O 3 scale was not formed even when the Al content was high in the sputtered coating. The formation of NiAl 2O 4 was directly related to the precipitation of Ni 3Al in the coating during oxidation process. It was suggested that the precipitation of Ni 3Al contributed to the formation of NiO and therefore NiO could react with Al 2O 3 and form NiAl 2O 4. With increasing oxidation temperature, the effect of Ni 3Al precipitation on the formation of NiAl 2O 4 decreased.