Effects of an electroplated platinum interlayer on the morphology and phases of chemically-vapor-deposited alumina on single-crystal, nickel-based superalloy

The feasibility of preparing a thin layer of α-Al₂O₃ on the surface of a single-crystal, Ni-based superalloy was examined using a chloride-based chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process previously developed for cutting tool applications. A coating directly deposited by this method on the alloy surface consisted of ∼ 1 μm α-Al₂O₃ crystals in a matrix of amorphous Al₂O₃. When the alloy surface was predeposited with an electroplated Pt layer, the coating was mostly α-Al₂O₃, but with the presence of fine microcracks on the coating surface. In comparison to the results observed for pure Pt substrate, the role of the Pt interlayer was apparently to promote the rapid formation of κ-Al₂O₃ nuclei, which subsequently transformed to α-Al₂O₃ during the CVD growth process.