Morphology and crystal orientation on corrosion resistance of Mg thin films formed by PVD method onto Zn electroplated substrate

Magnesium thin films were prepared onto electroplated zinc coating steel substrate by using PVD method which helps for superior quality and environment friendly films to be produced. The effects of morphology and crystal orientation of magnesium film on corrosion resistance were investigated. The morphologies of magnesium film were changed from columnar to granular structure as argon gas pressure was increases. The crystal orientation of magnesium thin films changed from (101) to (002) plane as the argon gas pressure increased. The influence of argon gas pressure during a deposition of magnesium film can be explained by an effect of adsorption and occlusion. All the deposited magnesium films obviously showed better corrosion resistance than substrate. And the film of granular structure which deposited in condition of high gas pressure at each bias voltage had the highest corrosion resistance.