Electroplating titanium film on 316L stainless steel in LiCl–KCl–Tix+ (2 < x<3) molten salts

To improve the anti-corrosion properties of 316L stainless steel, titanium (Ti) metal films were electroplated on it using LiCl–KCl molten salts as the electrolyte, and low-valence Tix+ (2 < x<3) as the solute. The solute was produced by the reaction of Ti4+ and Ti0 via mixing K2TiF6, and Ti metal (sponge Ti) in the melts. Anti-corrosion test has shown significant enhancement in the stability of the Ti-coated 316L due to the presence of Ti film. However, the anti-corrosion properties did not enhance with an increase in the thickness of the Ti layers owing to a possible defect in the thicker Ti layers.