Microstructure and Interfacial Characteristic of Nano-Crystalline Nb Coating on Depleted U Surface

Nb coating was prepared with magnetron sputtering ion plating technology at different bias voltages on depleted U surface. Its microstructure was characterized by X-ray diffractor (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The interfacial characteristic between Nb coating and U substrate was studied with SEM and auger electron spectroscopy. The results indicate that the coating is level and compact, but it has some defects of particle which is sputtered from the Nb target, its crystalline structure is body centered cubic (BCC). Nb coating has prefer-oriented, crystalfined characteristic and internal stress. It’s nano-crystalline coating. The Nb coating grows along the normal orientation of the substrate surface and appears classic columnar structure, its surface consists of uniform bar-shaped particles in microscope. The coating adheres to U substrate tightly, ‘pseudo-diffusion layer’ presents in interfacial zone between them.