ZrO2 coatings were obtained by the the alkoxide route and
deposited onto stainless steel using the dip coating technique. The starting
solutions were prepared by mixing zirconium tetrabutoxide, isopropanol,
acetylacetone. The water content for the hydrolitic reaction arose from the
atmosphere moisture.
Useful information for the structural organization of the zirconia/steel
interphase is given by XPS analysis.
It is found that during firing treatment, the main components (Fe, Cr, Ni)
of the stainless steel diffuse into the ceramic coating. XPS data allow to
describe the chemical composition variation from the bulk substrate to the
outer coating surface.