Characteristics of CrAlSiN+MoS2 coating deposited by cathodic arc and magnetron sputtering process

• Published in: Vacuum 2019-05, Vol.163, p.360-367
• Main Authors: Lukaszkowicz, Krzysztof, Kubacki, Jerzy, Balin, Katarzyna, Sondor, Jozef, Pancielejko, Mieczysław
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AES; CrAlSiN film; MoS2 film; TEM; Tribological properties; XPS
• ISSN: 0042-207X; 1879-2715
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vacuum.2019.02.050

The subject of the research was a coating system composed of CrAlSiN film covered by molybdenum disulphide (MoS2)-based lubricant, deposited on X40CrMoV5-1 steel substrate. The CrAlSiN and MoS2 layers were deposited by cathodic ARC and magnetron sputtering technology respectively. HRTEM investigations show a quasi-amorphous structure with small crystallites of MoS2 layer. It was found that the investigated CrAlSiN layer has a compact character with fine crystallites. Basing on the XRD analysis the fcc type of the crystal structure was proposed for this layer. The atomic concentration of the MoS2 and CrAlSiN film was calculated from the XPS measurements. SEM and AES methods analyzed the chemical distribution of the elements inside the layers and at the interfaces. In sliding dry friction conditions, the investigated coating reveals good wear resistance as well as a high adhesion to the substrate material. •The HRTEM showed a quasi-amorphous character with small crystallites of MoS2.•The CrAlSiN layer has a nanocrystalline structure - grains size less than 10 nm.•The investigated CrAlSiN + MoS2 coating reveals good adhesion (LC2 = 62 N).•The value of wear rate kvc of the coating is 2.22 × 10−6 mm3/Nm.