Structural and mechanical properties of Cr-Zr-N coatings with different Zr content

• Published in: Surface engineering Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 69 - 77
• Main Authors: Aissani, Linda, Fellah, Mamoun, Nouveau, Corinne, Abdul Samad, Mohammed, Montagne, Alex, Iost, Alain
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Taylor & Francis 02.01.2020; SAGE Publications
• Subjects: Cr-Zr-N; CrN; friction; nanoindentation; wear; ZrN; wear; nanoindentation; Cr–Zr–N; CrN; friction; ZrN
• ISSN: 0267-0844; 1743-2944
• DOI: 10.1080/02670844.2017.1338378

Cr-Zr-N films have been synthesised using R.F reactive magnetron sputtering system on Si (100) wafer and XC100 steel substrate without heating. The structural, mechanical and friction coefficient evolution as a function of the Zr content were investigated by XRD, (EDS, WDS), WPS, XPS, SEM, AFM, nanoindentation, Scratch adhesion and pin-on-disc sliding wear tests. The results show, that, with increasing Zr content, the film structure changed with the coexistence of (Cr-N, Zr-N) crystallographic orientation mixture. The films formed a (Cr, Zr) N solid solution where Zr atoms substitute Cr atoms. CrN lattice parameter increased from 4.17 to 4.32 Å with the crystallite size refinement. The mechanical parameters (H, σ, E, H/E and H 3 /E 2 ) were significantly improved in comparison to binary films, especially at 29 at.-% Zr. The friction and wear behaviour of the Cr-Zr (29 at.-% Zr)-N coating also showed a significant improvement.