Nanostructured coatings and thin films

Nanostructured materials often possess special properties that materials with identical compositions but ordinary grain size do not have. The surface nanocrystallisation, nanostructured alloy and composite coatings and electronic thin films were reported. Magnetron sputtering, thermal spray, electrophoretic deposition and pulse electro-spark deposition have been used to produce surface nanocrystalline structure or thin films. The composition and microstructure can be controlled by using different targets or electrodes, and adjusting processing parameters. Nanostructured coatings and thin films can provide special chemical, mechanical and opto-electronic properties. High temperature corrosion resistance is used as an example to show the effects of nanostructure. The study has been focused on the interrelations between processing parameters, microstructure and properties. Physical and mathematical models have been established to describe the effects of nanocrystalline structure on the properties.