this invention relates to the use of low temperature plasma technology for significantly improved corrosion protection of steel . the plasma process involves pretreating of the steel surfaces by oxygen plasma and thin film deposition by polymerization of certain precursors on the steel . the process utilizes dc power , substrates as the cathode , magentron anodes , and system pressures of 0 . 01 - 0 . 5 torr . after the thin film plasma deposition it is also preferably to put a primer coating over the thin film .