Mechanical properties of nanocrystalline Ti–B–(N) coatings produced by DC magnetron sputtering
Author/s
García-Luis, A.; Brizuela, Marta; Onate, J.I.; Sánchez-López, J.C.; Martínez-Martínez, D.; [et al.]Date
2005-10-01Keywords
Magnetron sputtering
Ti–B–(N)
Nanocrystalline
Hardness
Scratch test
Pin-on-disc
Abstract
Ti–B–(N) coatings have been deposited by DC magnetron sputtering using TiB2 targets in Ar/N2 gas mixtures. The influence of bias voltage and nitrogen flow on the mechanical and tribological properties of these coatings has been studied. Mechanical properties have been evaluated by ultra-microindentation techniques and scratch testing; tribology tests have been performed in a pin-on-disc apparatus with controlled humidity conditions.
Microstructural characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) demonstrates the nanocrystalline structure of Ti–B–(N) coatings and allows the interpretation of their mechanical behaviour.
Hardness values up to 58 GPa have been achieved, depending on deposition conditions. Increasing the bias voltage on the substrates improves the hardness of coatings, while the addition of nitrogen significantly decreases these values. Coating adhesion obtained on highspeed steel is very good in most cases, reaching values higher than ...
Type
article