Surface Tailoring of Aluminum Sheets by PVD Sputtering

In order to change surface morphology of aluminum sheets, they have been mounted as targets in a PVD sputtering system, and subjected to several sputtering cycles. As an effect of the plasma erosion, sheet surface continuously changes during multiple sputtering cycles. First results are shown in terms of surface morphology. The levelling effect of the plasma erosion is evident as initial irregularities from rolling partially disappear, and surface profiles become smoother by increasing number of cycles. That is the first result in the direction of surface tailoring, and nano-grooves could be expected at very high numbers of cycles. Surface nano-tailoring would be the first step for the production of patterns in injection molding of common polymers.