Influence of niobium addition on microstructure, mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of ZrN coatings

• Published in: Thin solid films Vol. 570; pp. 256 - 261
• Main Authors: Wu, Z.T., Qi, Z.B., Jiang, W.F., Wang, Z.C., Liu, B.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 03.11.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adhesion; Atomic structure; Coatings; Columnar structure; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Deposition; Deposition by sputtering; Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces, interfaces, thin films and low-dimensional structures; Electronic transport phenomena in thin films and low-dimensional structures; Exact sciences and technology; Hardness; Materials science; Mechanical and acoustical properties; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; Microstructure; Niobium; Oxidation resistance; Physical properties of thin films, nonelectronic; Physics; Solid solutions; Structure and morphology; thickness; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Thin film structure and morphology; Zirconium; Zr-Nb-N coatings; Oxidation resistance; Zr-Nb-N coatings; Microstructure; Hardness; Adhesion; Scratching test; Doping; Hall effect; Coatings; Structure composition relationship; Cathode sputtering; Hardness testing; Physical vapor deposition; Niobium additions; Oxidation; Crystal structure; Nanohardness; Electrical properties; Tetragonal lattices; Nanoindentation; Mechanical properties; Monoclinic lattices; Preferred orientation; Columnar structure; Solid solutions; Solution structure; Property structure relationship; Hardness indentation; Sputter deposition; Zr-Nb―N coatings; Tribology
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2014.05.019

In this study, Zr-Nb-N coatings with 0–3.8at.% Nb addition were deposited by magnetron co-sputtering deposition. The results reveal that Nb atoms substitute Zr atoms in Zr-N lattice, forming the solid solution structure. All the Zr-Nb-N coatings illustrate a dense columnar structure with the preferred orientation of (200), showing independent of Nb addition. Nanoindentation result reveals a promoted hardness of the Zr-Nb-N coatings from 23.9±0.7GPa to 28.4±0.5GPa with enhanced Nb content from 0 to 2.8at.% due to both the solid solution strengthening and Hall–Petch effect. Scratch tests show that adhesion between substrates and coatings can be improved by Nb addition. After oxidation in air at 600°C for 2h, microstructural studies indicate the oxide scales consist of monoclinic-ZrO2 outer layer and tetragonal-ZrO2 inner layer. Moreover, ZrO2 can be stabilized in the tetragonal phase by Nb doping. The Zr-Nb-N coating with 1.3at.% Nb addition exhibits superior oxidation resistance, while excess Nb addition produces detrimental effects on oxidation resistance. •Moderate Nb addition improves the hardness and adhesion of Zr-Nb-N coatings.•Significant improvement of oxidation resistance is obtained by Nb addition.•GAXRD and TEM microstructural studies of the Zr-Nb-N coatings.•Phase stabilization of tetragonal-ZrO2 is achieved by Nb addition.