Hybrid Organic-inorganic Silica-based Coatings Deposited by Spray Technique

AISI 316L stainless steel is mainly used in biomedical applications, even though it suffers localized corrosion. Its protection can be achieved creating a barrier for ions migration. This paper presents the synthesis and deposition of sol gel coatings over AISI 316L, done by spray and dip-coating method, using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and colloidal silica nanoparticles as precursors. Both coatings are analysed by optical microscopy, mechanical profilometry and electrochemical tests in simulated body fluid solution. The spray deposition technique is presented as a versatile way to generate thin layers enabling to coat complex geometries and being promising for industrial purposes.