Microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of Cr–C–N coatings deposited by pulsed closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology 2009-12, Vol.204 (6), p.931-935
• Main Authors: Wu, Z.L., Lin, J., Moore, J.J., Lei, M.K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Contact of materials. Friction. Wear; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Cr–C–N coatings; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals. Metallurgy; Nanocrystalline; Physics; Production techniques; Pulsed magnetron sputtering (PMS); Surface treatment; Surface treatments; Wear
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2009.04.032

Nanocrystalline Cr–C–N coatings were deposited by pulsed closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering. The microstructure, chemical composition and elemental chemical state of the coatings were investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, glancing incident angle x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Mechanical and tribological properties of the coatings were measured by nanoindentation and ball-on-disk wear tests. The Cr–C–N coatings consist of nanocrystalline Cr 7C 3, CrN embedded in an amorphous carbon and CN matrix. The coatings with a N content of 25.5 at.% possessed a highest hardness of 25.4 GPa and a highest H/E ratio of 0.096. Dependent on the C content, the steady state dry coefficient of friction values for Cr–C–N coatings sliding against a WC-Co ball were found in the range of 0.38–0.56. The wear rates of the coatings are in the low range of 1.28–3.44 × 10 − 6  mm 3 N − 1 m − 1 .