Microstructure and corrosion characterization of Cr film on carburized CSS-42L aerospace bearing steel by filtered cathodic vacuum arc deposition

For present and future advanced aerospace bearing applications, it is significant and necessary to improve the corrosion resistance of carburized CSS-42L steel. In this study, Cr films of about 1 μm in thickness were fabricated onto carburized CSS-42L bearing steel using a filtered cathodic vacuum arc deposition system. The corrosion behavior of carburized CSS-42L steel with Cr films was investigated. The Cr film was composed of nanocrystalline α-Cr. The electrochemical experimental results indicated that the current density had two orders of magnitude decrease and the corrosion potential evidently increased after Cr film deposition. The protective efficiency of this Cr film was as high as 99.7%. Nanocrystalline exhibits a higher corrosion resistance and enhances the modification effect of Cr film on carburized CSS-42L steel.