A study of the structure and erosion properties of CrNx/CrAlN coatings with different modulation periods

• Published in: Wear 2023-02, Vol.514-515, p.204583, Article 204583
• Main Authors: Wang, Di, Tian, Tian, Lin, Song-sheng, Liu, Xiao-long, Liu, Ming-xia, Yin, Zhi-fu, Xue, Yu-na, Yang, Zhen, Bian, Pei-ying, Zhou, Ke-song
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Failure mechanisms; Metal-rich ductile layer; Multilayer coating; Solid particle erosion
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2022.204583

In this study, we deposited CrNx/CrAlN multilayer coatings with different modulation periods on TC4 titanium alloy substrates via cathodic arc deposition. The effects of the different modulation periods on the microstructure, mechanical properties, erosion resistance, and fracture failure mechanism of the coatings were studied. The results show that the multilayer coatings exhibit a dense structure, with the CrNx layer being mainly composed of the CrN (200) and Cr2N (111) phases and the CrAlN layer being mainly composed of the CrN (111) and CrN (200) phases. The comprehensive mechanical properties of the multilayer coating with a modulation period of 200 nm are the best: The hardness is 3306 HV, the bonding force is 50.0 N, the crack propagation resistance is 483, the residual stress is the smallest, and the erosion resistance is the best. In the process of coating fracture failure, the CrAlN hard layer is mainly wear-resistant, while the CrNx metal-rich ductile layer mainly absorbs the fracture stress and undergoes a ductile–brittle transition, which eventually results in brittle fracture and layered peeling failure. •Designed and prepared the CrNx/CrAlN multilayer coatings with different modulation periods.•When the modulation period was 200 nm, the comprehensive mechanical properties of the coating were the best.•After eroded, the rich metal layer absorbs the fracture stress, undergoes a ductile-brittle transition, and exfoliates.