In the present investigation, surface coatings employing laser surface alloying (LSA) and plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) processes have been prepared on Mg alloys. The coatings have been investigated for corrosion and wear behaviour. Two important Mg alloys based on Mg–Al system were selected namely, MRI 230D and AM50 as substrates. LSA coatings have been prepared employing Al and Al2O3 as precursors using different laser scan speeds. PEO coatings were prepared in standard silicate and phosphate based electrolytes employing unipolar, pulsed DC. Hybrid coatings using a combination of the two processes were also produced and investigated for corrosion and wear behaviour. Hybrid coatings of LSA followed by PEO (LSA+PEO) were investigated for effectiveness of sealing the cracks in the LSA coatings by subsequent PEO process and consequent improvement in the corrosion resistance. Hybrid coatings of PEO followed by LSA (PEO+LSA) were prepared with an objective of sealing the pores in the PEO coating LSA treatment. In an attempt to produce more compact PEO coatings, electrolyte containing montmorillonite clay additives was employed for the PEO process of AM50 Mg alloy. The coatings were produced employing different current densities and the effect of current density on the microstructure and corrosion behaviour of coating was investigated. Electrochemical corrosion tests of uncoated and coated alloys were carried out in 3.5 wt.% (0.6M)NaCl, neutral pH, solution with an exposed area of 0.5 cm2 for a time duration of 18.5 h. For the PEO coatings with clay additives, corrosion tests were conducted additionally in 0.5 wt.% (0.08 M) NaCl, neutral pH, solution for a time duration of 226.1 h. Wear behaviour of LSA coatings was analyzed by employing a pin on disc tribo–tester conforming to ASTM G–99 standard at ambient conditions with ground EN32 steel disc of hardness Rc 58 as the counterface. Tests were conducted under dry sliding conditions for a sliding distance of 1.0 km at a sliding velocity of 0.837 m/s employing normal loads of 10, 20, 30 and 40 N. Friction and wear behavior of PEO and PEO+LSA coatings were analyzed at ambient conditions by employing a ball−on−flat linearly oscillating tribometer conforming to ASTM G–133 standard. AISI 52100 steel ball of diameter 6 mm was employed as the friction partner. Wear tests were conducted under dry sliding conditions for a total sliding distance of 100 m at normal loads of 2 N and 5 N with oscillating amplitude of 10 mm and mean sliding speed of 5 mm/s. LSA coatings could not improve the corrosion resistance of MRI 230D Mg alloy. This was attributed to the presence of cracks in the LSA coating, which resulted in the accelerated galvanic corrosion of the substrate. LSA coatings improved the wear resistance at all loads. The improved wear resistance was attributed to β (Mg17Al12) phase and Al2O3 particles in the coating which increased the hardness of the LSA layer. No trend in corrosion and wear resistance with laser scan speed was observed for LSA coatings. PEO coatings improved the corrosion resistance of the MRI 230D Mg alloy significantly. The improved corrosion resistance was attributed to the enhanced barrier protection provided by dense barrier layer formed at the substrate/coating interface and to the insoluble phase constituents in the coatings. PEO coating was effective in improving the wear resistance at low loads/contact pressures. At higher loads, the coating underwent micro–fracture as a result of the porosity in the coatings. Hybrid coatings of LSA followed by PEO (LSA+PEO) in silicate based electrolyte improved the corrosion resistance of LSA coatings. However, the corrosion resistance was not improved to the extent of PEO coatings on as–cast alloy as a result of cracks in the primary coatings, which were not fully sealed by the plasma conversion products. No trend in corrosion resistance with laser scan speed was observed for LSA+PEOcoatings. In hybrid coatings of PEO followed by LSA (PEO+LSA), primary PEO coating was completely melted and mixed with applied precursor to form a single composite LSA layer. The corrosion resistance of the hybrid coatings was observed to be lower than that of the as–cast alloy. The presence of solidification cracks reduced the barrier properties and resulted in the accelerated galvanic corrosion of the substrate similar to LSA coatings. Hybrid (PEO+LSA) coatings exhibited improved wear resistance as compared to as–cast alloy at lower loads as a result of increase in the hardness due to β (Mg17Al12) phase and oxide/ceramic particles in the hybrid layer. At higher loads, hybrid coatings exhibited higher wear rate as compared to as–cast alloy and PEO coatings. This was attributed to three–body abrasive wear as a result of dislodged hard oxide/ceramic particles in the wear tracks. No trend in corrosion and wear resistance with laser scan speed was observed for PEO+LSA coatings. PEO coatings on AM50 Mg alloy by employing clay additives in the electrolyte resulted in the reactive uptake of clay particles producing a predominantly amorphous coating at low current density. Clay additives were effective in improving the compactness of the coating at lower current density. At higher current densities, the porosity of the coatings increased. The clay particles got re–constituted producing increasing amount of crystalline phases with increase in current density. Long term impedance measurements showed that clay addition as well as increased current density employed for the PEO process was not effective in improving the corrosion resistance of the coatings. At low current density, even though the coating with clay additives was more compact, it was deficient in MgO and consisted predominantly of an amorphous phase, which underwent fast dissolution in electrolyte thereby resulting in an early loss of barrier properties. At higher current densities, even though the coatings consisted of increased amount of MgO and crystalline phases, which resist dissolution in the electrolyte, the increased porosity and defective barrier layer resulted in easy permeation of the electrolyte into the substrate/coating interface, which resulted in much earlier loss of barrier properties and inferior corrosion resistance.

La production actuelle d’énergie qui provient principalement des combustibles fossiles a un impact négatif sur l’environnement. Le développement des énergies renouvelables peut limiter cet impact. Si la conversion thermodynamique de l’énergie solaire obtenue en concentrant le rayonnement photonique permet d’atteindre des rendements élevés, l’enjeu est de réaliser, à faible coût, de grandes surfaces de réflecteurs souples et légers ayant une excellente propriété optique réfléchissante.Dans ce travail de recherche, nous avons étudié deux types de miroirs qui entrent dans la réalisation des concentrateurs solaires. Le premier miroir est constitué d’une plaque souple en polymère très transparent (indice de transmission le plus élevé possible) sur laquelle a été déposé un film réfléchissant. Cette couche est protégée contre la corrosion et les agressions environnementales par un revêtement organique opaque élaboré en face arrière. On obtient ainsi un système polymère/métal/ film organique. Le second miroir est constitué d’un substrat opaque souple sur lequel est déposé un film réfléchissant. Une couche mince protectrice organique ou céramique, ayant un indice optique de transmission le plus élevé possible, est élaborée en face avant sur la couche réfléchissante. On obtient ainsi un système céramique/métal/ organique.Cette couche réfléchissante étant indispensable dans les deux configurations de miroir, nous avons étudié l’élaboration d’une couche réfléchissante à base d’argent du fait que la technique de dépôt chimique dynamique, appelée encore technique JetMetalTM, permet d’obtenir des films d’argent à température ambiante et de façon rapide et peu coûteuse. D’autre part, cette technologie agrée « Green Tech » est bien adaptée pour l’élaboration de dépôt sur des grandes surfaces. Ce rapport décrit les étapes et les paramètres nécessaires pour obtenir des réflecteurs optiques à base d’argent de grandes qualités : qualité optique avec des réflectivités supérieures à 95%, qualité mécanique avec des interfaces polymère/métal pouvant encaisser des déformations, un rapport qualité/prix par l’optimisation des cinétiques de dépôt et d’épaisseur de film d’argent (environ 100nm) avec un temps très court d’élaboration. De nombreuses techniques d’analyses et de caractérisations (XPS, AFM, LRX, SEM…) ont été utilisées pour dégager les paramètres pertinents d’un miroir solaire à base d’argent.La propriété optique du film d’argent est stable à l’air et avec le temps. Néanmoins, une protection de l’argent est nécessaire en particulier en face avant. Cette protection doit adhérer au film d’argent, pouvoir être flexible et présenter un indice de transmission le plus élevé possible dans le domaine visible. Si différents vernis ont été étudiés, notre travail a surtout porté sur l’élaboration de revêtements protecteurs organiques (PMMA, PU), céramiques (SiO2, Al2O3) et surtout hybrides organique-céramique. Ce travail de recherche a permis d’identifier les domaines de pertinence de ces différents types de revêtements protecteurs sous contrainte radiative, leur compatibilité avec une couche réflective d’argent, pour conduire à des concentrateurs souples performants. Une solution originale est présentée en conclusion. Elle porte sur la réalisation d’un miroir souple élaboré sur une feuille de verre de 100 µm d’épaisseur revêtue d’un film de 100 nm d’argent. La réflectivité est supérieure à 95% dans le visible. / The present production of energy that mainly comes from the burning of fossil fuels has a negative impact on our environment. The research and development of clean and renewable sources of energy can decrease this damage. If the thermodynamic conversion from solar energy obtained by photons radiation concentration allows us a higher efficiency, the challenge is to build at low cost, large areas for solar reflectors that are flexible and lightweight, with a powerful optical reflection.During this research a study was made on two types of mirrors for achieving solar concentrators. The first mirror is formed of a flexible polymer plate highly transparent (Transmission index as high as possible) in which was deposited a reflective layer. This layer is protected against corrosion and any other environmental aggression by an opaque organic coating built on the rear face. This produces a polymer/metal/organic film system. The second mirrors consist of a flexible opaque substrate in which, a reflective film is deposited. A thin organic or ceramic protector film with a transmission index as high as possible is prepared in front of the reflective layer. Thereby, a ceramic/metal/organic system was obtained.Being that the reflective layer is essential in both configurations of the mirror, research was carried out about the development of a reflective layer composed of silver with the dynamic chemical plating technique also called “Jet MetalTM technique” which allows the elaboration of silver films at room temperature in a fast and economical manner. Also, this approved technology <<Green Tech>> is well adapted for the deposit development over large surfaces. This report describes the steps and necessary parameters to obtain optical reflectors based on high quality silver: optical quality with a higher reflectivity over 95%, mechanical quality with interfaces of polymer / metal that can absorb deformations, a relation quality/price through the optimization of the deposit kinetic and the silver film thickness (approximately 100 nm) with a very short elaboration time. Many analysis and characterization techniques (XPS, AFM, LRX, SEM…) have been performed to determine the parameters of a solar mirror made of silver.The optical property of the silver film is stable in air ambient and with time. However; the silver protection is necessary mainly on the front face. This protection must adhere to the silver film, be flexible and provide a high visual range. Different varnishes have been researched, and our work has been concentrated in the development of organic (PMMA, PU), ceramics (SiO2, Al2O3), and especially hybrid organic-ceramic covering protection. This research allowed us to identify the relevant areas of these different types of protection coatings under radiation stress, its compatibility with the silver layer to obtain efficient and flexible concentrators. An original solution is presented at the conclusion that corresponds in the elaboration of a flexible mirror, made up of a glass layer of 100 µm thick and covered in a silver film of 100 nm. The reflection is over 95% visible. / La producción actual de energía que proviene principalmente de combustibles fósiles tiene un impacto negativo sobre el medio ambiente. El desarrollo de las energías renovables puede reducir este impacto. Si la conversión termodinámica de la energía solar obtenida por concentración de radiación de fotones permite alcanzar altos rendimientos, el reto es lograr realizar, a bajos costos, grandes áreas de reflectores flexibles y ligeros, con una excelente propiedad óptica reflejante.En esta investigación, se estudiaron dos tipos de espejos que intervienen en la consecución de los concentradores solares. El primer espejo está hecho de una placa flexible de polímero altamente transparente (índice de transmisión lo más alta posible) en el que se depositó una película reflejante. Esta capa está protegida contra la corrosión y el ataque del medio ambiente por un revestimiento orgánico opaco desarrollado en la parte trasera. Esto produce un sistema polímero/metal / película orgánica. El segundo espejo consiste en un sustrato opaco flexible en la que se deposita una película reflejante. Una película delgada y protectora orgánica o cerámica con un índice de transmisión lo más alto posible se prepara en frente de la capa reflejante. Por lo tanto, se obtiene un sistema cerámico / metal / orgánico.Siendo esta capa reflejante esencial en ambas configuraciones de espejo, se investigó el desarrollo de una capa reflejante a base de plata con la técnica de depósito químico dinámico, también llamada “JetMetalTM technique” que permite elaborar películas de plata a temperatura ambiente de manera rápida y económica. Además, esta tecnología, aprobada « Green Tech », está bien adaptada para el desarrollo de depósitos sobre superficies grandes. Este trabajo describe los pasos y los parámetros necesarios para obtener reflectores ópticos basados en plata de grandes cualidades: calidad óptica con reflectividad mayor a 95%, calidad mecánica con interfaces de polímero / metal que pueden absorber deformaciones, una relación calidad / precio mediante la optimización de la cinética de depósito y espesor de la película de plata (aproximadamente 100 nm) con un tiempo corto de elaboración. Numerosas técnicas de análisis y caracterización (XPS, AFM, LRX, SEM ...) han sido utilizadas para determinar los parámetros pertinentes de un espejo solar a base de plata. La propiedad óptica de la película de plata es estable en el aire y en el tiempo. Sin embargo, la protección de la plata es necesaria, en particular en el frente. Esta protección debe adherirse a la película de plata, ser flexible y proporcionar un índice de transmisión lo más alto posible en el rango visible. Se han estudiado diferentes barnices y nuestro trabajo ha sido centrado en el desarrollo de recubrimientos de protección orgánicos (PMMA, PU), cerámicos (SiO2, Al2O3) y especialmente en híbridos orgánico-cerámica. Esta investigación ha permitido identificar las áreas de relevancia de estos diferentes tipos de recubrimientos de protección bajo estrés por radiación y su compatibilidad con una capa reflejante de plata para obtener concentradores flexibles eficientes. Una solución original se presenta en la conclusión y corresponde en la realización de un espejo flexible elaborado en una hoja de vidrio de 100 µm de espesor y recubierto con una película de plata de 100 nm. La reflectividad es superior a 95% en el visible.