Structure and mechanical properties of thick Cr/Cr_2N/CrN multilayer coating deposited by multi-arc ion plating

A Cr/Cr2N/CrN multilayer coating with a thickness of 24.4 μm was deposited by multi-arc ion plating. The coating was systematically characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry(XPS), energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Hardness and adhesion were tested by nanoindentation and scratch tester, respectively. The friction properties were investigated by a reciprocating UMT-3MT ball-on-disk tribometer in air and seawater. The results showed that the multilayer coating consisted of three different layers, with Cr,Cr2N and CrN phases, respectively. Compared with CrN single layer coating, the adhesion of the multilayer coating was improved significantly, the hardness of the multilayer coating was(21±2) GPa. The corrosion resistance of the multilayer coating was also improved in artificial seawater. The friction coefficient of multilayer coating was lower than that of CrN single layer coating both in air and seawater.

C/SiC/MoSi_2-SiC-Si multilayer coating for oxidation protection of carbon/carbon composites

C/SiC/MoSi2-SiC-Si oxidation protective multilayer coating for carbon/carbon （C/C） composites was prepared by pack cementation and slurry method. The microstructure, element distribution and phase composition of the as-received coating were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDS） and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The results show that the multilayer coating was composed of MoSi2, SiC and Si. It could effectively protect C/C composites against oxidation for 200 h with the mass loss of 3.25% at 1873 K in static air. The mass loss of the coated C/C composites results from the volatilization of SiO2 and the formation of cracks and bubble holes in the coating.

Microstructure and indentation toughness of Cr/CrN multilayer coatings by arc ion plating

Cr/CrN multilayer coatings with bilayer periods in the range from 1351 to 260 nm were prepared on 304 stainless steel substrates by arc ion plating to study the microstructure and properties of multilayer coatings and stimulate their application.SEM results confirm the clear periodicity of the Cr/CrN multilayer coatings and the clear interface between individual layers.XRD patterns reveal that these multilayer coatings contain Cr,CrN and Cr_2N phases.Because Cr layer is softer than its nitride layer,the hardness decreases with the shortening of the bilayer period(or increasing volume fraction of Cr layer).The Cr/CrN multilayer coating with 862 nm period possesses the highest indentation toughness due to a proper individual Cr and nitride layer thickness.However,for the Cr/CrN multilayer with the bilayer period of 1351 nm,it possesses the lowest toughness due to more nitride phase.The indentation toughness of Cr/CrN multilayer coatings is related with their bilayer period.A coating with a proper individual Cr and nitride layer thickness possesses the highest indentation toughness.

Effects of surface roughness of substrate on properties of Ti/TiN/Zr/ZrN multilayer coatings

Ti/TiN/Zr/ZrN multilayer coatings were deposited on Cr_17Ni_2 steel substrates with different surface roughnesses by vacuum cathodic arc deposition method. Microstructure, micro-hardness, adhesion strength and cross-sectional morphology of the obtained multilayer coatings were investigated. The results show that the Vickers hardness of Ti/TiN/Zr/ZrN multilayer coating, with a film thickness of 11.37 μm, is 29.36 GPa. The erosion and salt spray resistance performance of Cr_17Ni_2 steel substrates can be evidently improved by Ti/TiN/Zr/ZrN multilayer coating. The surface roughness of Cr_17Ni_2 steel substrates plays an important role in determining the mechanical and erosion performances of Ti/TiN/Zr/ZrN multilayer coatings. Overall, a low value of the surface roughness of substrates corresponds to an improved performance of erosion and salt spray resistance of multilayer coatings. The optimized performance of Ti/TiN/Zr/ZrN multilayer coatings can be achieved provided that the surface roughness of Cr_17Ni_2 steel substrates is lower than 0.4μm.

Surface Modification With Zinc and Zn-Ni Alloy Compositionally Modulated Multilayer Coatings

Zinc and Zn-Ni alloy compositionally modulated multilayer （CMM） coatings were electrodeposited on to a steel substrate by the successive deposition of zinc and Zn-Ni alloy sublayers from dual baths. The coated samples were evaluated in terms of the surface appearance, surface and cross-sectional morphologies, as well as corrosion resistance. The microstructural characteristics that were examined using the field emission gun scanning electron microscopy （FEGSEM） confirmed the layered structure, grain refinement of the zinc and Zn-Ni alloy CMM coatings, and revealed the existence of microcracks caused by the internal stress in the thick Zn-Ni alloy sublayers. The corrosion resistance that was evaluated by means of the salt spray test shows that the zinc and Zn-Ni alloy CMM coatings were more corrosion-resistant than the monolithic coatings of zinc or Zn-Ni alloy of the same thickness. The possible reasons for the better protective performance of Zn-Ni/Zn CMM coatings were given on the basis of the analysis on the micrographic features of zinc and Zn-Ni alloy CMM eoatings after the corrosion test. A probable corrosion mechanism of zinc and Zn-Ni alloy CMM coatings was also proposed.

Multilayer ceramic coating for impeding corrosion of sintered NdFeB magnets

Sintered NdFeB magnets have complex microstructure that makes them susceptible to corrosion in active environments.The current paper evaluated the anticorrosion characteristics of multilayer titanium nitride ceramic coating applied through cathodic arc physical vapour deposition(CAPVD) for protection of sintered NdFeB permanent magnets.The performance of ceramic coating was compared to the electrodeposited nickel coating having a copper interlayer.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) and cyclic polar...

Mechanical properties and friction-wear characteristics of VN/Ag multilayer coatings with heterogeneous and transition interfaces

The heterogeneous multilayer interface of VN/Ag coatings and transition multilayer interface of VN/Ag coatings were prepared on Inconel 781 and Si(100),and the microstructures,mechanical and tribological properties were investigated from 25 to 700℃.The results showed that the surface roughness and average grain size of VN/Ag coatings with transition multilayer interface are obviously larger than those of VN/Ag coatings with heterogeneous multilayer interface.The coatings with transition multilayer interface have higher adhesion force and hardness than the coatings with heterogeneous multilayer interface,and both coatings can effectively restrict the initiation and propagation of microcracks.Both coatings have excellent self-adaptive lubricating properties with a decrease of friction coefficient as the temperature increases,but their wear rates reveal a drastic increase.The phase composition of the worn area of both coatings was investigated,which indicates that a smooth Ag,Magnéli phase(V2O5)and bimetallic oxides(Ag3VO4 and AgVO3)can be responsible to the excellent lubricity of both coatings.To sum up,the coatings with transition multilayer interface have excellent adaptive lubricating properties and can properly control the diffusion rate and release rate of the lubricating phase,indicating that they have great potential in solving the problem of friction and wear of mechanical parts.

Pulsed DC plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposited TiN/Ti(C,N) multilayer coatings

TiN single coatings and TiN/Ti(C,N) multilayer coatings deposited on Cr12MoV substrate have been completed by pulsed DC plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition(PCVD) process. The SEM, XRD and microvicker’s hardness as well as the indentation test were used to study the microstructure and mechanical properties of TiN/Ti(C,N) multilayer coatings. The results show that TiN/Ti(C,N) coatings are fine and have free column structure, and carbon atoms take the place of some nitrogen atoms in Ti(C,N) coatings when lower flow ratio of CH 4 is used. The microvicker’s hardness and interfacial adhesion between TiN/Ti(C,N) coatings and Cr12MoV substrate increases more obviously than that of TiN single hard coatings due to the more dense and free column structure when process is optimized.

Corrosion Performance of Zinc and Zinc-cobalt Alloy Compositionally Modulated Multilayer (CMM) Coatings

Varieties of zinc and Zn-Co alloy compositionally modulated multilayer （CMM） coatings were electrodeposited onto steel substrates using dual bath technique. The surface and cross-sectional morphologies of coated samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy （ SEM ）. The existence of iuternal stress in ZnCo alloy deposits was confirmed by the cross-sectional morphalogies for the occurrence of micro-cracks in the thick Zn-Co alloy deposit alone. The corrosion performance was evaluated using neutral salt spray testing, corrosion potential measurement and anodic polarization methods. The experimental results slum, that the zinc and Zn- Co alloy CMM coatings were more corrosion-resistant than the monolithic coatings of zinc or Zn-Co alloy alone with a similar thickness. The analysis on the micrographic features of zinc and Zn-Co alloy CMM coatings, using field emission gun scanning electron microscopy （FEGSEM） after corrosion testing, explains the probable reusons why the Zn-Co/ Zn CMM coating system has a better protective performance.

Influence of Ar/N_2 Flow Rate on Structure and Property for TaN/NbN Multilayered Coatings

TaN/NbN multilayered coatings with nanoscale bilayer periods were synthesized at different Ar/N2 flow rates by RF （radio frequency） magnetron sputtering. XRD （X-ray diffraction） and Nano Indenter System were employed to investigate the influence of Ar/N2 flow rate （FAr：FN2） on microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings. The low-angle XRD pattern indicated a well-defined composition modulation and layer structure of the multilayered coating. All multilayered coatings almost revealed higher hardness than the rule-of-mixtures value of monolithic TaN and NbN coatings. At FAr：FN2=10, the multilayered coating possessed desirable hardness, elastic modulus, internal stress, and fracture resistance, compared with ones synthesized at other Ar/N2 flow rates. The layered structure with strong mixture of TaN （110）, （111）, （200） and Nb2N （101）textures should be related to the enhanced mechanical properties.

Effect of cathode composition on microstructure and tribological properties of TiBN nanocomposite multilayer coating synthesized by plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition

Nanocomposite multilayer TiBN coatings were prepared on Si(100) and 9Cr18Mo substrates using TiBN composite cathode plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition technique(PIIID). Synthesis of TiBN composite cathodes was conducted by powder metallurgy technology and the content of hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN) was changed from 8% to 40%(mass fraction). The as-deposited coatings were characterized by energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction(GIXRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR) and high resolution transmission electron microcopy(HRTEM). EDS results show that the B content of the coatings was varied from 3.71% to 13.84%(molar fraction) when the composition of the h-BN in the composited cathodes was changed from 8 % to 40%(mass fraction). GIXRD results reveal that the TiBN coatings with a B content of 8% has the main diffraction peak of TiN(200),(220) and(311), and these peaks disappear when the B content is increased. FTIR analysis of the multilayer coatings showed the presence of h-BN in all coatings. TEM images reveal that all coatings have the characteristics of self-forming nanocomposite multilayers, where the nanocomposites are composed of face-centered cubic Ti N or h-BN nanocrystalline embedded in amorphous matrix. The tribological tests reveal that the Ti BN coatings exhibit a marked decrease of coefficient at room temperature(~0.25). The improved properties were found to be derived from the comprehensiveness of the self-forming multilayers structure and the h-BN solid lubrication effects in the coatings.

Electrodeposition of Compositionally Modulated Zinc-cobalt Alloy Multilayer Coatings

The effects of pulse parameters on the cobalt content, surface morphologies and grain size of Zn-Co alloy deposits were studied using a pulse plating technique with a square-wave current containing reverse pulse. Average current density and reverse anodic current density amongst the variables investigated have very strong effects on the cobalt content in the Zn-Co alloy deposits. Grain size, surface appearance and internal stress in the deposit were improved significantly by introducing the reverse current. Varieties of Zn-Co alloy compositionally modulated multilayer (CMM) coatings with large differences in cobalt contents for different sublayers were electrodeposited by designing corresponding waveforms using a computer-aided pulse plater and characterized in terms of surface morphologies. Cross-sectional morphologies of the Zn-Co alloy CMM coatings, examined using field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEGSEM), confirmed the layered structure.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND ANTI-WEARABILITY STUDIES OF MULTILAYER THIN COATINGS ON CUTTING TOOLS

The naniondentation fracture of multilayer hard coatings, such as TiN, TiN/Ti(C, N)/TiC, TiN/Ti (C,N)/TiC/Ti (C, N)/TiC and TiN/Ti (C, N)/TiC/Ti (C,N)/TiC/Ti(C,N)/TiC coating, deposited on cemented carbide using a CVD technique are studied. It is found that these coatings have high hardness. Based on the analysis of the energy release in cracking, the fracture toughness of these coatings are calculated. The observations clearly establish a step occurs in the force-displacement curves at the onset of coating fracture and a straight line segment in the load-penetration depth squared curves to idenntify the interfacial failure of coatings. The hardness, fracture toughness and anti-wearability of these coatings are clearly compared. The results show that with the layers increasing, the fracture toughness and anti-wearbility are getting larger.

TiN/CrN multilayered hard coatings with TiCrN interlayer deposited by a filtered cathodic vacuum arc technique

TiN/CrN multilayered hard coatings with TiCrN interlayer were deposited onhigh speed steel substrates by using a filtered cathodic vacuum arc technique. The structure andcomposition of the coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Augerelectron spectroscopy (AES). A high adhesion of up to 80 N was demonstrated by scratching tests forthe multi-layered coatings. Nanoindentation tests were performed to determine the hardness andelastic modulus of the coatings as a function of the multiplayer modulation period. It was observedthat the hardness of the multilayered coatings is higher than those of either TiN or CrN singlecoatings, and it increases with decreasing modulation periods, which is consistent with predictionsfrom the Hall-Petch type strengthening mechanism, though at small modulation periods, deviation fromthe Hall-Petch relation has been observed for the multilayered coatings. The life-span of drillscoated with TiN/CrN multilayered is triple as long as that coated with TiN layer.

Insights into the oxidation resistance mechanism and tribological behaviors of multilayered TiSiN/CrVxN hard coatings

In the last decades,vanadium alloyed coatings have been introduced as potential candidates for self-lubrication due to their perfect tribological properties.In this work,the influence of V incorporation on the wear performance and oxidation resistance of TiSiN/CrN film coatings deposited by direct current(DC)reactive magnetron sputtering is investigated.The results show that vanadium incorporation significantly decreases the oxidation resistance of the coatings.In general,two layers are formed during the oxidation process:i)Ti(V)O_(2) on top,followed by a protective layer,which is subdivided into two layers,Cr_(2)O_(3) and Si-O.ii)The diffusion of V controls the oxidation of V-containing coatings.The addition of vanadium improves the wear resistance of coatings,and the wear rate decreases with increasing V content in the coatings;however,the friction coefficient is independent of the chemical composition of the coatings.The wear of the V-containing coatings is driven by polishing wear.

Microstructure and physical properties of PVD TiN/(Ti, Al)N multilayer coatings

Magnetron sputtered (Ti, Al)N monolayer and TiN/(Ti, Al)N multilayer coatings grown on cemented carbide substrates were studied by using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), nanoindentation, Rockwell A indentation test, strength measurements and cutting tests. The results show that the (Ti, Al)N monolayer and TiN/(Ti, Al)N multilayer coatings perform good affinity to substrate, and the TiN/(Ti, Al)N multilayer coating exhibits higher hardness, higher toughness and better cutting performance compared with the (Ti, Al)N monolayer coating. Moreover, the strength measurement indicates that the physical vapour deposition (PVD) coating has no effect on the substrate strength.

Thermal Residual Stresses in Multilayered Coatings

The mechanical integrity and reliability of coated devices are strongly affected by the residual stresses in thin films and coatings. However, due to the metallurgical complexity of materials, it is rather difficult to obtain a closed-form solution of residual stresses within multilayered coatings （e.g. functionally graded coatings, FGCs）. In this paper,an analytical model is developed to predict the distribution of residual stresses within multilayered coatings. The advantage of this model is that the solution of residual stresses is independent of the number of layers. Specific results are obtained by calculating elastic thermal stresses in ZrO2/NiCoCrAIY FGCs, which consist of different material layers. Furthermore, the residual stress distribution near the edges and the stress-induced failure modes of coating are also analyzed. The topics discussed provide some insights into the development of a methodology for designing fail-safe coating systems.

Coarse WC Particles Ceramic-Metal Composite Coating by Laser Cladding

The coarse WC particles ceramic-metal com- posite coatings with WC density of 67 wt-% and thickness of 1.0-1.2 mm have been cladded on 20Ni4Mo steel surface by a 2 kW CO_2 laser.The sintered WC particles with the size of 600-1000 μm are chosen as the main strengthening phase, Ni-base self-flux alloy as the binder in the compo- site coatings.The microstructure and microhardness of both WC particles and binder are analysed.The rigid ball indention with acoustic emission technique is used to evaluate the brittleness of the coating.Finally,the abrasive wear resistance of the coating is tested.Besides,the coatings with the same ratio and size of WC parti- cles in low carbon steel tube rod were cladded on 20Ni4Mo steel by atomic hydrogen welding tech- nique and analysed by the same way,their results are compared.

Corrosion behaviors of zinc and Zn-Ni alloy compositionally modulated multilayer coatings

Zinc and Zn-Ni alloy compositionally modulated multilayer （CMM） coatings were electrodeposited from dual baths. The coated samples were evaluated in terms of surface appearance, surface and cross-sectional morphologies, as well as corrosion resistance. The results obtained from the salt spray test show that the zinc and Zn-Ni alloy CMM coatings are more corrosion-resistant than the monolithic coatings of zinc or Zn-Ni alloy alone with a similar thickness. The corrosion potential measurement and anodic polarisation tests were undertaken to examine the probable corrosion mechanisms of zinc and Zn-Ni alloy CMM coatings. Analysis on the micrographic features of zinc and Zn-Ni alloy CMM coatings after the corrosion test explains the probable reasons why the Zn-Ni/Zn CMM coatings have a better protective performance. Surface morphologies and compositional analysis of the remaining coating material of Zn-Ni alloy deposit after the corrosion test confirms the dezincification mechanism of the Zn-Ni alloy deposit during the corrosion process.