CrAlN coatings deposited by cathodic arc evaporation at different substrate bias

• Published in: Thin solid films 2006-09, Vol.515 (1), p.113-117
• Main Authors: Romero, J., Gómez, M.A., Esteve, J., Montalà, F., Carreras, L., Grifol, M., Lousa, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Arc deposition; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Contact of materials. Friction. Wear; Exact sciences and technology; Hard coatings; Ion bombardment; Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Mechanical properties of solids; Metals. Metallurgy; Nitrides; Physics; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Structure of specific crystalline solids; Tribology and hardness; Wear
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2006.01.061

CrAlN is a good candidate as an alternative to conventional CrN coatings especially for high temperature oxidation-resistance applications. Different CrAlN coatings were deposited on hardened steel substrates by cathodic arc evaporation (CAE) from chromium–aluminum targets in a reactive nitrogen atmosphere at negative substrate bias between − 50 and − 400 V. The negative substrate bias has important effects on the deposition growth rate and crystalline structure. All our coatings presented hardness higher than conventional CrN coatings. The friction coefficient against alumina and tungsten carbide balls was around 0.6. The sliding wear coefficient of the CrAlN coatings was very low while an important wear was observed in the balls before a measurable wear were produced in the coatings. This effect was more pronounced as the negative substrate bias was increased.