Effect of bias voltages on microstructure and mechanical properties of (AlCrNbSiTi)N high entropy alloy nitride coatings deposited by arc ion plating

• Published in: Surface engineering Vol. ahead-of-print; no. ahead-of-print; pp. 1 - 11
• Main Authors: Liu, Jie, Zhang, Xiangyu, Zeng, Xiaomei, Xiong, Zechang, Liu, Yan, Lei, Yan, Yang, Bing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Taylor & Francis 03.04.2023; SAGE Publications
• Subjects: arc ion plating; bias voltage; hard coating; High entropy alloy; microstructure; nanohardness; nitride coating; wear test; bias voltage; arc ion plating; microstructure; hard coating; wear test; nitride coating; High entropy alloy; nanohardness
• ISSN: 0267-0844; 1743-2944
• DOI: 10.1080/02670844.2023.2236829

(AlCrNbSiTi)N coatings were prepared by arc ion plating at a bias voltage in the range of −50 to −200 V. The as-deposited coatings were all found to have a face-centred cubic structure and exhibit columnar crystal. Si 3 N 4 is distributed in the columnar grains in the form of a network, which separates the columnar grains into fine grains. Si 3 N 4 presents a crystalline state and grows coherently with the surrounding grains to form a nc-(AlCrNbTi)N/nc-Si 3 N 4 nanocomposite structure. The coating with the finest mechanical characteristics was applied at −200 V. The hardness, elastic modulus and wear rate are 34.76, 425 GPa and 0.82 × 10 −9 mm 3 N −1  m −1 , respectively. Based on the outstanding mechanical performance of the coating, it is concluded that the (AlCrNbSiTi)N protective coating has a broad range of potential applications.