The corrosion behavior of nanocrystalline nickel based thin films

Phase analysis and grain size calculations of the samples were carried out by X-ray diffraction analysis. In order to reveal corrosion properties, potentiodynamic tests were conducted on samples. Analysis revealed that, although Cr addition to pure-Ni thin films improved their corrosion resistance, occurrence of σ-Cr3Ni2 phase at higher Cr contents increased corrosion rate. The corrosion properties of the samples were also investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and surface related parameters caused by corrosion reactions were calculated. The analysis revealed that at 55% wt. Cr, rapid ion exchange occurred and highest corrosion current, 23.4 nA cm−2 was observed.