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Characterization Of Tantalum Coatings On Steel Substrates, Prabha Shivaramkrishnan

Theses

Sputtered tantalum can be used as an effective corrosion resistant barrier if the coating is continuous, free from defects and is adherent to the substrate it is intended to protect. For corrosion-applications 100% bcc phase tantalum is preferred. X-ray diffraction results indicate that sputtered tantalum deposits typically contain a mixture of bcc and beta phases. Depending on the deposition conditions the morphology of tantalum coatings as studied using scanning electron microscopes can vary from irregular, dendritic structure to a defined step type structure. A "cauliflower type" structure has also been observed. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurement was used to …