Characteristics and performance of Cr 2O 3/CrN double-layered coatings deposited by cathodic arc plasma deposition

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Vol. 429; no. 1; pp. 212 - 218
• Main Authors: Hsu, Cheng-Hsun, Huang, Dung-Hau, Ho, Wei-Yu, Huang, Li-Tien, Chang, Chi-Lung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 2006
• Subjects: Cathodic arc plasma deposition; Chromium oxides; Double-layered coatings; Double-layered coatings; Chromium oxides; Cathodic arc plasma deposition
• ISSN: 0921-5093; 1873-4936
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2006.05.108

In this study, Cr 2O 3/CrN double-layered coatings synthesized by the cathodic arc plasma deposition were evaluated for potential application in injection molding dies. The double-layered coatings were designed with CrN of constant thickness as an interlayer and Cr 2O 3 of various thickness as a surface layer. Cr 2O 3 coatings of different thickness were deposited at varied times under the mixture of N 2 and O 2 at a constant flow rate. Well-adherent Cr 2O 3/CrN double-layered coatings were identified using scratch test and Rockwell C indention test. Characteristics of Cr 2O 3/CrN double-layered coatings were investigated by using XRD, XPS, SEM, tribological tests, and water contact angle measurement. The XRD analysis showed an increasing peak intensity of the Cr 2O 3 phase as the thickness of the top layer increased. The double-layered coatings exhibited an enhanced hardness of 32 GPa comparable to that of CrN (20 GPa). The tribological property of Cr 2O 3/CrN double-layered coatings also compared favorably with that of CrN film. The water contact angle measurement revealed that Cr 2O 3/CrN double-layered coatings were 40% higher than CrN film.