Mechanical properties, deformation behaviors and interface adhesion of (AlCrTaTiZr)N x multi-component coatings

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology Vol. 204; no. 20; pp. 3307 - 3314
• Main Authors: Chang, Shou-Yi, Lin, Shao-Yi, Huang, Yi-Chung, Wu, Chia-Liang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.07.2010
• Subjects: Adhesion; Coatings; Creep (materials); Crystal structure; Deformation; Deposition; Hard coatings; Interface adhesion; Mechanical properties; Nanoindentation; Nanostructure; Nitrides; Deformation; Interface adhesion; Hard coatings; Nanoindentation
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2010.03.041

In this study, (AlCrTaTiZr)N x multi-component coatings with quinary metallic elements were developed as protective hard coatings for tribological application. The mechanical properties, creep behaviors, deformation mechanisms and interface adhesion of the (AlCrTaTiZr)N x coatings with different N contents were characterized. With increasing the N 2-to-total (N 2 + Ar) flow ratio, R N, during sputtering deposition, the (AlCrTaTiZr)N x coatings transformed from an amorphous metallic phase to a nanocomposite and finally a crystalline nitride structure. The hardness of the coatings accordingly increased from 13 GPa to a high value of about 30 GPa, but the creep strain rate also increased from 1.3 × 10 − 4 to 7.3 × 10 − 4 1/s. The plastic deformation of the amorphous metallic coating deposited with R N = 0% proceeded through the formation and extension of shear bands, whereas dislocation activities dominated the deformation behavior of the crystalline nitride coatings deposited with R N = 10% and 30%. With increasing R N, the interface adhesion energy between the coatings and the substrates was also enhanced from 6.1 to 22.9 J/m 2.