Enhancement of as-sputtered silver-tantalum oxide thin film coating on biomaterial stainless steel by surface thermal treatment

• Main Authors: Alias, R., Mahmoodian, R., Abd Shukor, M.H., Yew, B.S, Muhamad, M.
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: T Technology (General); TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/1708/1/FH03-FRIT-18-16958.pdf; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/1708/2/FH03-FRIT-18-13707.jpg; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/1708/

Stainless steel 316L (SS316L) is extensively used as surgical/clinical tools due to its low carbon content and excellent mechanical characteristic. The fabrication of metal ceramic based on this metallic biomaterial favor its bio functionality properties. However, instability phase of amorphous thin film lead to degradation, corrosion and oxidation. Thus, thin film coating requires elevated adhesion strength and higher surface hardness to meet clinical tools criteria. In this study, the SS316L was deposited with micron thickness of Ag-TaO thin film by using magnetron sputtering. The microstructure, elemental analysis and phase identification of Ag-TaO thin film were characterized by using FESEM, EDX and XRD, respectively; whereas the micro scratch test and micro hardness test were performed by using Micro Scratch Testing System and Vickers Micro Hardness Tester, respectively. It was found that the coating thin film's adhesion and hardness strength were improved from 672 to 2749 mN and 142 to 158 Hv respectively. It was found that the as-deposited surface were treated at 500 degrees C of temperatures with 2 degrees C/min ramping rate enhance 4.1 times of the adhesion strength value. Furthermore, FESEM characterization revealed coarsening structure of the thin film coating which can provide high durability service.