Hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO)-plasma-polymerised coatings as primer for iron corrosion protection: influence of RF bias

Abstract

Silicone-like coatings were prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition on steel substrates using a hexamethyldisiloxane–oxygen (80 ∶ 20) precursor mixture, in a microwave reactor. The plasma composition, the structure and barrier properties of the coatings were studied as a function of the RF bias. OES was carried out in order to identify the excited species in the plasma. The coatings were characterized by several ex situ diagnostics including FTIR, SEM, gravimetry and EIS.