Deformation Characteristics of Fine Protrusions Formed by Sputter-Etching of Stainless Steels

Abstract

Sputter-etching was applied to type 303, 304, 430 and 420 stainless steels to form conical or ring-shaped protrusions on the surface, and the tensile test of the substrate with protrusions, the press and scratch tests of protrusions were carried out. The tensile test shows that the conical protrusion is ductile, and the delamination and dropping out of the protrusions from substrate never occur before fracture of the substrate. The press test of the protrusions reveals that the conical protrusion is so strong to form deep hole on the counter rod of aluminum alloy although the tip of the protrusion is flattened. The scratch test of the surface with conical protrusions shows a large change of friction force with increasing scratch distance, whereas relatively small change of friction force for ring-shaped protrusions due to a smaller height and a narrow space between each ring wall. The maximum scratch force for a typical conical protrusion is about 40mN.

Enhancement of Visible Light Absorbance and Hydrophobicity by Sputter-Coating of PTFE onto Fine Protrusions Formed by Sputter-Etching of Steels

“…A detailed explanation on the formation, growth and decay processes of the protrusions with increasing sputter-etching time 33,36,38) is omitted in the present paper, but the fine ridge-and ring-shaped protrusions observed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are considered to be formed in the decay process of conical protrusions.…”

“…The protrusions formed by sputter-etching will be widely applicable to various engineering purposes due to their multi-functions as well as their simple and economical fabrication process using only argon gas and commercially supplied metals. The protrusions proved to have excellent mechanical properties 33,35,36) with only small decrease in pitting corrosion resistance. 32) They can be used as dies to form fine holes on a polymer film to reduce the light reflection or to facilitate the adhesion of printing ink and a transportation roll for papers and cloths, etc.…”