Effect of Sintering Temperature on the Corrosion and Wear Behavior of Protective SiO2-Based Sol-Gel Coatings

Sol-gel hybrid organic-inorganic and inorganic SiO₂-based protective coatings with and without added 3 m glass particles were developed and tested for their corrosion and wear behavior of an stainless steel substrate (AISI316L). The corrosion resistance greatly increases by incorporating glass particles in the sols. The incorporation of particles in the coatings allows the synthesis of thicker crack-free coatings. On the other hand, the corrosion resistance increases for coatings with a higher organic content obtained at lower sintering temperature. These coatings are also highly stable in saline aqueous solutions. However, the wear resistance is badly affected by the hybrid character of the SiO₂ matrix. The optimum coating process in terms of corrosion and wear resistance, appears to be a hybrid system with a dense SiO₂ network achieved at intermediate sintering temperatures.