Microstructural, wettability, and corrosion behaviour of TiO₂ thin film sputtered on aluminium

The study investigated the application of radiofrequency (RF)-sputtered TiO₂ coatings at various temperatures to enhance the hydrophobicity and corrosion resistance of Al6061 alloy. The research aimed to establish a correlation between the coating process and the resulting surface properties. Surface roughness and wettability were quantified with a surface profilometer and goniometer. Additionally, chemical boiling and salt spray corrosion tests were conducted to evaluate any topographical changes during these procedures. The analysis further involved the use of field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques to characterize the deposited coatings. The findings indicated that the TiO₂ coating applied at 500 °C exhibited the highest water contact angle and superior corrosion resistance compared to other temperatures. Surface characterization confirmed that this specific TiO₂ coating at 500 °C effectively delays corrosion due to its hydrophobic behavior, making it durable for industrial applications.