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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
Microcrystalline Cr-O-C films, synthesized by the plasma immersion ion processing technique, were annealed in vacuum and air at 700 °C for different times so their thermal stability could be evaluated. The study showed that annealing does not greatly change the chemical composition of the Cr–O–C films but induces a transformation ofthe film structure from the mixed phases of Cr2O3, CrO2, and CrC1.13O0.12 to the dualphases of Cr3C2, and Cr2O3. In addition, the annealed Cr–O–C films exhibit excellentnonwetting qualities to liquid aluminum despite the presence of pin holes. The contactangle of resolidified molten aluminum against the Cr–O–C films was found to be ashigh as 120–150°. The aluminum contact angle was found not to vary with thermal aging of the Cr–O–C films. The Cr–O–C films showed high hardness (16–24 GPa) and good wear resistance as compared to the steel substrates (H13 and 304 stainless steels)used in this study.