Structure and wear resistance of TiN and TiAlN coatings on AZ91 alloy deposited by multi-arc ion plating

In order to investigate the microstructure of TiN and TiAlN coatings and their effect on the wear resistance of Mg alloy, TiN and TiAlN coatings were deposited on AZ91 magnesium alloy by multi-arc ion plating technology.TiN and Ti70Al30N coatings were prepared on the substrate,respectively,which exhibited dark golden color and compact microstructure.The microstructures of TiN and Ti70Al30N coatings were investigated by X-ray diffractometry(XRD)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The micro-hardness and wear resistance of TiN and Ti70Al30N coatings were investigated in comparison with the uncoated AZ91 alloy. The XRD peaks assigned to TiN and TiAlN phases are found.The hardness of TiN coatings is two times as high as that of AZ91 alloy, and Ti70Al30N coating exhibits the highest hardness.The wear resistance of the hard coatings increases obviously as result of their high hardness.

Ti/(Ti,Cr)N/CrN multilayer coated 316L stainless steel by arc ion plating as bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Arc ion plating (AIP) is applied to form Ti/(Ti,Cr)N/CrN multilayer coating on the surface of 316L stainless steel (SS316L) as bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The characterizations of the coating are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Interfacial contact resistance (ICR) between the coated sample and carbon paper is 4.9 m Omega cm(2) under 150 N/cm(2), which is much lower than that of the SS316L substrate. Potentiodynamic and potentiostatic tests are performed in the simulated PEMFC working conditions to investigate the corrosion behaviors of the coated sample. Superior anticorrosion performance is observed for the coated sample, whose corrosion current density is 0.12 mu A/cm(2). Surface morphology results after corrosion tests indicate that the substrate is well protected by the multilayer coating. Performances of the single cell with the multilayer coated SS316L bipolar plate are improved significantly compared with that of the cell with the uncoated SS316L bipolar plate, presenting a great potential for PEMFC application. (C) 2016 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON SUPERFICIAL COAT OF GEARS OF NITRIDED 32Cr2MoV COATED WITH TiN FILM BY MULTI-ARC ION PLATING

After 32CrMoV is selected to manufacture nitrided gears coated with TiN by multi-arc ion plating, all of these uncoated gears and coated gears run in the gearbox under the same initial conditions so as to compare their difference concerning properties and microstructure. Experiment results indicate that tooth surface of the coated-TiN gears does not suffer surface abnormalities in meshed zone. Instead, the gears with nitrided case exhibit an abrasion mark on the meshed zone of tooth surface, which results in more weight loss of nitrided gears. The morphology of the surface suggests TiN film with more than 2 000 HV is so dense and smooth that coated-TiN gears have higher wear resistance compared with the uncoated gears. The microstructure of coated-TiN gears is finer, hardness is higher and its distribution of coated-TiN gears is more reliable than uncoated ones, which makes nitride layer combined with TiN film tightly. Consequently, the wear-resistance of gears has been dramatically promoted.

Structure and Tribological Properties of CrTiAlN Coatings Deposited by Multi-Arc Ion Plating

CrTiAIN coatings were prepared by using a home-made industrial scale multi-arc ion plating system. The coatings were found to be composites of face-center-cubic CrN and TiN. The surface roughness, microhardness, and tribological properties of the films were significantly affected by the nitrogen pressure and dc-pulsed bias voltage applied to the substrate. The CrTiA1N coatings with the smoothest surfaces were obtained at optimum conditions of nitrogen pressure of 5.0 Pa and bias voltage of -200 V. The samples were found to exhibit a hardness of 2900 HV0.05 with an average friction coefficient of 0.16 and wear rate of 1.5× 10^-16 m^3/N.m against cemented carbide.

STUDY ON HIGH TEMPERATURE PERFORMANCES OF MCrAlX COATINGS DEPOSITED BY MULTI-ARC ION PLATING

NCoCrAlSiYHf and CoNiCrAlTaY coatings which belong to protective Al 2O 3 scale forming type were deposited by multi arc ion plating technique . The effect of deposition process parameters on qualities of the coatings was discussed. The high temperature oxidation performances isothermal oxidation with 950℃ / 500h and 1100℃ / 100h were studied. And also, the hot corrosion performances at 700℃ and 800℃, with molten mixed salt composed of 75%wt Na 2SO 4 and 25%wt NaCl were investigated. Then the high temperature protection decaying mechanisms were proposed.

Structure and Mechanical Properties of CrTiAlN/TiAlN Composite Coatings Deposited by Multi-Arc Ion Plating

CrTiAlN/TiAlN composite coatings were deposited on cemented carbide by using a home-made industrial scale multi-arc ion plating system. The samples were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, microhardness and ball-on-disk testing. The properties of the CrTiAlN/TiAlN coatings were significantly influenced by the microstructure and the deposition time ratio of TiAlN over CrTiAlN layers. With the increase of deposition time ratio, the microhardness of CrTiAlN/TiAlN increased from 28.6 GPa to 37.5 GPa, much higher than that of CrTiAlN coatings. The friction coefficients of the CrTiAlN/TiAlN coatings were higher than those of CrTiAlN coatings against a cemented carbide ball. The microhardness of the CrTiAlN/TiAlN coatings was changed after annealing at 800 ℃, and the friction coefficients of the annealed coatings were increased against the cemented carbide ball.

STUDIES OF Cr-O THIN FILNS DEPOSITED BY MULTI-ARC ION PLATING

This paper presents the formation of Cr-O thin films on an iron substrate by multi-arc ion plating, which are intended to be used as a thermal radiation absorbent in electronic vacuum devices. Only oxygen was used as a reaction gas during deposition, the Cr-O thin film, must have high adhesion and low outgassing rate. The scratch test shows that the critical load, for an applicable Cr-O thin film deposited in oxygen atmosphere alone at a pressure of 8×10-1 Pa, was as high as 6kg.

Wear-resistance and anti-scuffing of multi-arc ion plating molybdenum films

The multi-arc ion plating technology was employed to prepare the molybdenum films with thickness of 3 μm on the AISI 1045 steel. The wear and scuffing tests were carried out on the ball-on-disc tester. AFM and SEM equipped with EDS were adopted to observe and analyze the morphologies and element compositions of surface,cross-section and worn scar of the Mo film. The phase structure was studied by XRD and the bonding strength between Mo film and substrate was measured by scratching tester. The tribological experiments show that the Mo film possesses a good wear-resistance and an excellent anti-scuffing property. The failure mechanism of Mo film under extreme condition is flaking off.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of TiN/TiAlN multilayer coatings deposited by arc ion plating with separate targets

TiN/TiAlN multilayer coatings were prepared by arc ion plating with separate targets. In order to decrease the unfavorable macroparticles, a straight magnetized filter was used for the low melting aluminium target. The results show that the output plasmas of titanium target without filter and aluminium target with filter reach the substrate with the same order of magnitude. Meanwhile, the number of macropartieles in TiN/TiAlN multilayer coatings deposited with separate targets is only 1/10-1/3 of that deposited with alloy target reported in literature. Al atom addition may lead to the decrease of peak at （200） lattice plane and strengthening of peak at （111） and （220） lattice planes. The measured hardness of TiN/TiAlN multilayer coatings accords with the mixture principle and the maximum hardness is HV2495. The adhesion strength reaches 75 N.

Properties of TiAICrN coatings prepared by vacuum cathodic arc ion plating

TiAlCrN coatings were deposited by means of vacuum cathodic arc ion plating technique on TC 11 （Ti-6.5Al-3.5Mo-1.5Zr-0.3Si） titanium alloy substrates. The composition, phase structure, mechanical performance, and oxidation-resistance of the nivide coatings were investi- gated by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, atomic force microscope （AFM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, auger electron spectroscopy （AES）, and X-ray photoelectron microscopy （XPS）. A new process for preparing protective coatings of the titanium alloy is successfully ac- quired. The experimental results indicate that the added element chromium in the TiAlN coatings make a contribution to form the （220） pre- ferred direction. The phases of the coatings are composed of （Ti,Al）N and （Ti,Cr）N. After 700~C and 800~C oxidation, AES analysis shows that the diffusion distribution of the TiAlCrN coatings emerges a step shape. From the outside to the inner, the concentrations of O, Al, and Cr reduce, but those of Ti and N increase. The Al-rich oxide is formed on the surface of the coatings, and the mixed structure of Ti-rich and Cr-rich oxides is formed in the internal layer. The oxidation resistance of the TiAlCrN coatings is excellent at the range of 700 to 800~C. Adhesion wear is the dominant mechanical characteristic for the titanium alloy at room temperature, and the protective coatings with high hardness can improve the mechanical properties of the titanium alloy. The wear resistance of the TC 11 alloy is considerably improved by the TiAlCrN coatings.

Effect of Rare Earth Element Cerium on Mechanical Properties and Morphology of TiN Coating Prepared by Arc Ion Plating

TiN coatings were deposited on polished substrates of W18Cr4V high speed steel by means of vacuum arc ion plating. The effect of cerium on adhesion between TiN coating and substrate was studied. The microstructures and composition of TiN coatings were also investigated by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and X ray diffraction (XRD) technique. It was found that cerium is an effective modifying agent and the addition of suitable amount of cerium to TiN coatings can produce relatively excellent properties such as micro hardness, wear resistance, oxidation resistance and porosity. The experimental results show that the added cerium in TiN coatings makes a contribution to form the preferred direction along with a (111) or (222) close packed face, which may be one of the reasons that improves some properties mentioned above.

Experimental Verification of the Physical Model for Droplet-Particles Cleaning in Pulsed Bias Arc Ion Plating

It has been reported that application of pulsed biases in arc ion plating could effectively eliminate droplet particles. The present paper aims at experimental verification of a physical model proposed previously by us which is based on particle charging and repulsion in the pulsed plasma sheath. An orthogonal experiment was designed for this purpose, using the electrical parameters of the pulsed bias for the deposition of TiN films on stainless steel substrates. The effect of these parameters on the amount and the size distribution of the particles were analyzed, and the results provided sufficient evidence for the physical model.

THE EFFECTS OF PULSE BIAS VOLTAGE AND N_2 PARTIAL PRESSURE ON TiAlN FILMS OF ARC ION PLATING (AIP)

Owing to the characteristics of arc ion plating(AIP) technique, the structure and composition of TiAlN films can be tailored by controlling of various parameters such as compositions of target materials, N2 partial pressure, substrate bias and so on. In this study, several titanium aluminum nitride films were deposited on 1Cr11Ni2W2MoV steel for compressor blade of areo-engine under different d.c pulse bias voltage and nitrogen partial pressure. The effects of substrate pulse bias and nitrogen partial pressure on the deposition rate, droplet formation, microstruture and elemental component of the films were investigated.

Formation of nanocrystalline microstructure in arc ion plated CrN films

Applying negative bias voltages caused significant microstructure changes in arc ion plated CrN films. Nanocrystalline microstructures were obtained by adjusting the negative bias voltage. Structural characterizations of the films were carried out using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The results indicated that increasing ion bombardment by applying negative bias voltages resulted in the formation of defects in the CrN films, inducing microstructure evolution from micro-columnar to nanocrystalline. The microhardness and residual stresses of the films were also affected. Based on the experimental results, the evolution mechanisms of the film microstructure and properties were discussed by considering ion bombardment effects.

Composition demixing effect on cathodic arc ion plating

The composition demixing effect has been found often in alloy coatings deposited by cathodic arc ion plating using various alloy cathode targets. The characteristics of composition demixing phenomena were summarized. Beginning with the ionization zone near the surface of the cathode target, a physical model in terms of the ions generated in the ionization zone and their movement in the plating room modified by bias electric field was proposed. Based on the concept of electric charge state, the simulation calculation of the composition demixing effect was carried out. The percentage of atoms of an element in coating and from the alloy target was demonstrated by direct comparison. The influences of the composition change of the alloy target and the bias electric field on the composition demixing effect were discussed in detail. It is also proposed that the average charge states of the elements may be used to calculate the composition demixing effect and to design the composition of the alloy target.

Microstructure and residual stress of TiN films deposited at low temperature by arc ion plating

The TiN films were deposited on 316 L stainless steel substrates at low temperature by arc ion plating. The influences of substrate bias voltage and temperature on microstructure, residual stress and mechanical properties of the films were investigated by EDS, SEM, XRD and nanoindenter tester, respectively. The results showed that the TiN films were highly oriented in（111） orientation with a face-centered cubic structure. With the increase of substrate bias voltage and temperature, the diffraction peak intensity increased sharply with simultaneous peak narrowing, and the small grain sizes increased from 6.2 to 13.8 nm. As the substrate temperature increased from 10 to 300℃, the residual compressive stress decreased sharply from 10.2 to 7.7 GPa, which caused the hardness to decrease from 33.1 to 30.6 GPa, while the adhesion strength increased sharply from 9.6 to 21 N.

Lubrication properties of silver-palladium alloy prepared by ion plating method for high temperature stud bolt

As a solid lubricant, silver-palladium (Ag-Pd) alloy coating was investigated for the application to high temperature stud bolt. A glue layer nickel (Ni) film was deposited on the surface of the hex bolt sample and then Ag-Pd alloy coating was performed on it using ion plating method. The friction coefficient of Ag-Pd alloy film coated bolt was lower than that of N-5000 oil coated bolt by the result of axial force measurement. The cyclic test of heat treatment was conducted to evaluate the durability of Ag-Pd alloy film coated bolt. In a cycle, sample was assembled into the block using torque wrench, followed by heating and disassembling. It was not successful to disassemble the N-5000 oil coated bolt from the block after only one cycle. However, the Ag-Pd alloy film coated bolt was able to be disassembled softly till 12 cycles.

IMPROVEMENT OF ADHESION BETWEEN ION PLATED TiN COATING AND BASE METAL BY ADDING Y

The adhesion between the ion plated TiN coating and the base metal is improved by adding Y.The machenism of the effect of Y has been discussed as well.

Influences of nitrogen flow rate on the structures and properties of Ti and N co-doped diamond-like carbon films deposited by arc ion plating

In this paper, Ti-C-N nanocomposite films are deposited under different nitrogen flow rates by pulsed bias arc ion plating using Ti and graphite targets in the Ar/N2 mixture gas. The surface morphologies, compositions, microstructures, and mechanical properties of the Ti-C-N films are investigated systematically by field emission scanning electron mi- croscopy （FE-SEM）, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）, grazing incident x-ray diffraction （GIXRD）, Raman spectra, and nano-indentation. The results show that the nanocrystalline Ti（C,N） phase precipitates in the film from GIXRD and XPS analysis, and Raman spectra prove the presence of diamond-like carbon, indicating the formation of nanocomposite film with microstructures comprising nanocrystalline Ti（C,N） phase embedded into a diamond-like matrix. The nitrogen flow rate has a significant effect on the composition, structure, and properties of the film. The nano-hardness and elastic modulus first increase and then decrease as nitrogen flow rate increases, reaching a maximum of 34.3 GPa and 383.2 GPa, at a nitrogen flow rate of 90 sccm, respectively.

High temperature oxidation behavior of (Ti, Al)N coating deposited by arc ion plating

(Ti, Al)N gradient nano-coating was deposited on the surface of 1Cr11Ni2W2MoV stainless steel by the MTP-8-800 arc ion plating equipment. And the oxidation performance at high temperature for 500h was tested under the condition of the surrounding air temperature 700℃. The test results show that, because of the structural features of the （Ti, Al）N coating, the coating becomes the compact and continuous Al2O3 film, which can protect the basis material effectively in the process of the high temperature oxidizing. The oxidation kinetics of the coating accord with parabolic law.