Effect of Ni content on the microstructure and mechanical behaviour of CrAlNiN coatings deposited by closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Surface and Coatings Technology

Publisher

Elsevier BV

School

School of Engineering

RAS ID

31213

Funders

University of New South Wales

Grant Number

ARC Number : DP150102417

Grant Link

http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP150102417

Comments

Sha, C., Munroe, P., Zhou, Z., & Xie, Z. (2019). Effect of Ni content on the microstructure and mechanical behaviour of CrAlNiN coatings deposited by closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering. Surface and Coatings Technology, 357, 445-455.

Available here.

Abstract

Ni incorporation is known to impose an intriguing influence on the composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of nitride-based coatings prepared by physical vapour deposition. This work examined the effect of varying Ni concentrations, controlled by NiCr alloy target current (INiCr), on the microstructures and properties of CrAlNiN coatings deposited on to M2 tool steel substrates. These coatings were deposited by closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering (CFUMS). The composition and structure of the as-deposited coatings were investigated by XPS, XRD, FIB, and TEM. Residual stresses were determined using the XRD-sin2ψ method. Nanoindentation tests were performed to assess mechanical properties of the CrAlNiN outer layer. At relatively low INiCr values, below 3 A, the grains within CrAlNiN layer underwent refinement, yet maintained a columnar structure. At higher INiCr values, from 3 to 5 A, the columnar grains transitioned into more equiaxed grains. Hardness values of 25–28 GPa at low INiCr values were associated with the high residual compressive stress, solid solution hardening and grain refinement.

DOI

10.1016/j.surfcoat.2018.10.052

Access Rights

free_to_read

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS