Improving tribological properties and machining performance of a-C coatings by doping with titanium

In this study, a-C:Ti _x% coatings with various levels of Ti addition are deposited on cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co) substrates using a medium-frequency twin magnetron sputtering and unbalanced magnetron sputtering system. This study investigates the tribological properties of the coatings by conducting wear tests against an AISI 1045 steel counterbody under a cylinder-on-disk line contact wear mode using an oscillating friction and wear tester. Additionally, turning tests and high-speed through-hole drilling tests are performed on AISI 1045 steel counterbodies and PCB workpieces, respectively, to investigate the machining performance of coated turning cutters and microdrills. The a-C:Ti _x% coatings not only have improved tribological properties but also demonstrate enhanced machining performance. For sliding against the AISI 1045 steel counterbody under loads of 10 and 100 N, the results show that the optimal friction and wear resistance properties are provided by the a-C:Ti_13% and a-C:Ti_3% coatings, respectively. Meanwhile, the a-C:Ti_20% and a-C:Ti_51% coatings yield the optimal turning and drilling performance, respectively.     

Cr基及其化合物过渡层对TiCN涂层性能的影响

为研究过渡层材料及结构对TiCN涂层性能的影响,设计3种Cr基及其化合物过渡层,利用多弧离子镀技术制备TiCN涂层。膜系分别为Cr/TiCN、Cr/CrN/TiCN和Cr/CrN/CrCN/TiCN。利用SEM、XRD、纳米压痕仪、划痕仪、摩擦磨损试验机和球磨仪对涂层的微观结构和性能进行表征。结果表明:随着过渡层由单层Cr依次加入CrN和CrCN,涂层原有的柱状晶生长被抑制并最终消除。与具有Ti过渡层的TiCN相比,涂层不再具有明显择优取向,(111)峰强度大大减弱而(200)峰发生宽化。具有CrN和CrCN过渡层的样品硬度和附着力明显高于以单层Cr为过渡层的样品,Cr/CrN/CrCN/TiCN膜系硬度和附着力最高,分别为(30.11±0.34)GPa和(37.21±0.46)N。摩擦磨损试验结果表明:CrCN过渡层的引入显著提升了涂层耐磨性,其对应样品摩擦因数最低,达到0.111,并在球磨测试中表现稳定,而其它膜系均出现不同程度的磨损形貌。     

Wear and corrosion behavior of CrCN/CrN coatings deposited by cathodic arc evaporation on nitrided 42CrMo4 steel substrates

In the paper, the results of wear and corrosion tests of the CrCN/CrN multilayer coatings, formed by cathodic arc evaporation on 42CrMo4 (AISI 4140) steel substrates are presented. The substrates were subjected to thermo-chemical treatment–nitriding with various nitriding potential. The results of nitriding were determined by XRD and the hardness profile in the samples cross-section. The morphology of thin coatings was examined with SEM. A Vickers FV-700 and Fisherscope HM2000 hardness testers enabled to investigate hardness of steel substrates and CrCN/CrN coatings respectively. A pin-on-disc wear tests were used to determine the hardness and tribological parameters of the coatings: the coefficient of the friction and wear rate. The scratch test and Rockwell test were applied to assess the adhesion of the coatings to the substrates. The corrosion properties of coating–steel substrate systems were investigated using potentiodynamic polarisation tests. Corrosion potential, corrosion current density and polarization resistance were determined. It was found that that the nitriding of steel substrates improves properties of the coating–substrate system. The nitriding 42CrMo4 steel substrate with low nitriding potential enable to obtain substrates without surface “white layer” what favours good adhesion of the coating to the substrate. The CrCN/CrN multilayer coating–steel substrate systems show good mechanical and tribological properties and corrosion resistance.     

Optimizing the tribological properties and high-speed drilling performance of a-C:H coatings via nitrogen addition

a-C:H:N_x% coatings with various levels of nitrogen addition ranging from 0 to 29 at.% are deposited on high-speed steel substrates and micro-drills utilizing a Closed Field Unbalanced Magnetron (CFUBM) sputtering technique. The tribological properties of the various coatings are evaluated by performing reciprocating sliding wear tests against an AISI 1045 steel cylinder under an applied load of 100 N. Additionally, the machining performance of the coated micro-drills is investigated by conducting high-speed through-hole drilling tests utilizing Printed Circuit Board (PCB) specimens. The experimental results reveal that the a-C:H:N_8% coating possesses the best tribological properties, namely the lowest wear depth, the lowest friction coefficient and the longest lifetime. In addition, it is shown that the a-C:H:N_8% coating increases the lifetime of the micro-drill by a factor of three compared to that of an uncoated micro-drill.     

Tribological behavior and wear mechanisms of TiN/TiCN/TiN multilayer coatings

This work employs the PVD process to deposit coatings of single layer TiN, binary layer TiN/TiCN, multilayer TiN⇔⇔N, and sequenced TiN⇔CN⇔N multilayer coatings with variable individual TiN-layer and TiCN-layer thicknesses on tungsten carbide disks and inserts. Also investigated are the fracture mechanisms and the influence of sequence and thickness of these coatings on cylinder-on-disk, line-contact wear mode and ball-on-disk, point-contact wear mode through SRV reciprocating wear tests. Actual milling tests identify wear performance. Experimental results indicate that the coating with a total thickness of 7 Μm and layer sequence TiN/TiCN/TiN exhibits good wear resistance on SRV wear test and milling test. The thickest multilayer TiN/Ti/TiN coating, although having the highest hardness, has the worst wear resistance for all tests. No-tably zero-wear performance was observed for all coating disks under cutting fluid lubricated condition due to the transferred layers formed between the contact interface.     

Microstructure and high-temperature wear behavior of laser clad Ni-Ti-Si ternary metal silicide coatings

Ni-Ti-Si ternary metal silicide coatings were fabricated on AISI 304 stainless steel by laser cladding process. The coatings consisted of Ni₁₆Ti₆Si₇ primary dendrite and interdendritic Fe-Ni-based solid solution γ and exhibited excellent abrasive and adhesive wear resistance under high temperature metallic dry sliding wear conditions. The excellent wear properties were attributed to the high hardness and covalent dominant atomic bond of the metal silicide Ni₁₆Ti₆Si₇. The dominant wear mechanism of the coating were delamination of the coating and material transfer from the mating surface.     

Finite element modelling of the thermo-mechanical behavior of coatings under extreme contact loading in dry machining

During metal cutting processes, intensive friction and high temperature generated at the tool chip interface affect the cutting zone of the tool, by inducing damage and wear. To improve the cutting tool's life, thin hard coatings, synthesized by physical or chemical vapor deposition (PVD or CVD) techniques, are often used as protective layers. In this work, numerical/theoretical analysis of dry machining has been performed to study the impact of different coating layers on the machining process. Four cases are considered: an uncoated tool made of tungsten carbide (WC-Co) and coated tungsten carbides in three different configurations. The first one is made of one layer namely TiN, the second one (hypothetical carbide insert) is composed of two layers (Al₂O₃ and TiN), and the last one has three layers (TiCN, Al₂O₃ and TiN). The workpiece material is an AISI 316L stainless steel. All cutting conditions are fixed in order to highlight the effect of coatings independently from others influencing parameters. The analysis has shown the impact of the different configurations of coatings on the temperature level inside the tool and on its surface, on the pressure and also on the cutting and feed forces.     

Improvement of the wear resistance of Ti-based coating sliding against copper alloy

The multilayer coating, Ti10%-C:H/TiC/TiCN/TiN, was deposited on cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co) substrate by an unbalanced magnetron sputtering system. Tribological characteristics of this coating were compared with the coatings of TiN, TiCN, and TiC/TiCN/TiN deposited on WC-Co substrates and the WC -Co substrate itself. The coating displayed excellent tribological properties, i.e., both low value and smooth curve of friction coefficient, and also, compared with the other tested materials, yielded the lowest wear depth when sliding against bronze under dry conditions. The coating thus protects against the high wear experienced when Ti-based coatings rub against copper alloy.     

Tribological behaviour of pulsed magnetron sputtered CrB2 coatings examined by reciprocating sliding wear testing against aluminium alloy and steel

Among the number of attractive properties that transition-metal diborides (TiB₂, CrB₂, etc.) possess, high resistance to wear and chemical inertness are the most important when considering diboride coatings for dry machining of nonferrous materials, such as aluminium and its alloys. Due mostly to the problematic deposition of chromium diboride (preparation of targets, target cracking during the deposition process, control of stoichiometry etc.), these coatings remain comparatively less studied than, for example, titanium diborides, regarding their tribological performance.In this paper we report on the tribological behaviour of pulsed magnetron sputtered (PMS), smooth and fully dense, crystalline, 21-38 GPa hard CrB₂ coatings examined by reciprocating sliding wear testing in ambient air (20 ± 2 °C, 20-30% humidity) against EN AW-2017A aluminium alloy and AISI 52100 chrome steel. The results are compared to those of pulsed magnetron sputter deposited TiN and CrN coatings. It is demonstrated that pulsed magnetron sputtered chromium diboride coatings exhibit the best tribological performance, in terms of amount of aluminium adhered on the surface of the wear track, during testing against aluminium alloy. When slid against AISI 52100 steel PMS CrB₂, CrN and TiN coatings exhibited coefficients of friction of 0.6, 0.6-0.7 and 0.43-0.45 respectively. The tribological behaviour of coatings was found to be dependent on the transfer film formation and its properties. Wear rates were up to ten times lower for pulsed magnetron sputtered CrB₂ coatings, compared to DC sputtered Cr-B films.     

TiN and CrN PVD coatings on electroless nickel-coated steel substrates

Plasma-assisted (PA) PVD ceramic coating such as TiN have so far achieved only very limited use on cheap low-alloy steels, owing to problems relating to both corrosion resistance and the need for load support from the underlying material. Here we report tests to asses the wear and corrosion performance of TiN and CrN PAPVD coatings on phosphorus-doped electroless nickel (ENiP)-coated steels. It is shown that this route offers a potentially cost-effective means of utilizing PAPVD ceramic films on lower grade steels. In particular, CrN/ENiP on AISI 304 stainless steel is shown to exhibit a promising combination of wet abrasion resistance with good corrosion properties.     

Wear of CrC-coated carbide tools in dry machining

This paper discusses the tribological characteristics and cutting performance of chromium carbide (Cr_x%C)-coated carbide tool inserts and micron-drills in dry machining. Cr_x%C coatings have been deposited with different optical emission monitoring (OEM) set values, x%, of chromium target “poisoning” by unbalanced magnetron sputtering and OEM control. The microstructures and mechanical properties of Cr_x%C coatings have been measured by the experiments of scanning electron microscope (SEM), nanoindentation and adhesion. Experimental results indicate that the coating microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance vary according to OEM set values. Cr_10%C-coated inserts showed the best wear resistance in AISI 1045 steel turning test. Cr_50%C-coated tools have performed exceptionally well in both copper turning and printed circuit board (PCB) through-hole drilling tests. The service life of Cr_50%C-coated tool is four times higher than that of an uncoated tool in the PCB through-hole drilling test.     

Improvement of the tribological behaviour of PVD nanostratified TiN/CrN coatings — An explanation

A hard TiN/CrN multilayered coating, consisting of alternating nanometer scale TiN and CrN layers (bilayer period of 40 nm), was deposited by arc evaporation process on M2 tool steel. Monolayered TiN and CrN are also deposited in the same conditions, and used as references. In order to get a better understanding of the tribological behaviour of coated parts, two types of experiments were performed. The dry-sliding wear resistance was evaluated with a ball-on-disk tribometer, while surface fatigue resistance was determined by a cyclic multi-impact test. The architecture of layers is measured by XRD and observed by TEM. The residual stress field was characterised using XRD and the sin²ψ method at a synchrotron radiation facility.All coatings present a columnar microstructure. TiN demonstrated better wear resistance than CrN and this characteristic is still increased two times by using the nanostratified coating. In the same way, the results of surface oligo-cyclic fatigue test confirm the high performance of the nanostructured coating with respect to the monolayered ones. The differences in mechanical properties of coatings evaluated through nanoindentation measurements do not lead to a direct correlation with the tribological results, and therefore cannot explain such differences. Moreover, a microscopic analysis of the samples after both tribological tests reveals two opposite cracking mechanisms. Monolayered TiN and CrN are subjected to a transversal crack propagation until the peeling of the coating, whereas the multilayered coating only undergoes cohesive cracks deviated in the TiN/CrN interface zones. Both opposite behaviours are the consequence of the distribution of stresses along the thickness of the film.     

The Friction and Wear Properties of CrN, Graphit-iC and Dymon-iC Coatings in Air and under Oil-lubrication.

NITRIDE COATINGS have always been the popularchoice for increasing the wear lifetime for industrialcomponents.TiN is the most widely accepted butrecently CrN has been gaining more interest due itsthermal stability and good performance in corrosiveenvironments.Knowledge of the tribologicalperformance of CrN coatings in dry and lubricatedconditions is still quite limited[1,2].Many authorshave studied the properties of diamond like carbon(DLC)films and how they perform in dry conditions[…     

Evaluation of the protective properties of multilayer coatings for steam turbine blades

The results of investigation of the protective properties of multilayer ion-plasma coatings relative to the conditions of their exploitation on steam turbines are described. It was established that the protection properties of coatings on 20X13 steel in an aggressive NaCl environment of various concentrations increase according to the sequence [Cr + (Cr,Ti)N]₁₀ < (Ti + TiN)₁₀ < (Cr + CrN)₁₀. It was also found that a breach in the coating integrity can lead to the appearance of macrogalvanic couples. Their activity considerably increases (by 4–5 times) during the mechanical passivation of the surface under the conditions of drop-collision erosive wear. The greatest values of the EMF in stationary conditions are generated between the 20X13 steel and Ti + TiN coating.     

有机钼添加剂作用下CrN和CrAlN涂层的摩擦学性能∗

CrN 和 CrAlN 涂层以其优异的力学性能可作为汽车发动机运动部件的保护性涂层使用,然而它与常用润滑油添加剂的相互作用仍需要进一步的研究。 采用磁控溅射技术制备氮化铬(CrN)和氮化铬铝(CrAlN)涂层,利用 X 射线衍射和纳米压痕研究涂层的微结构和机械性能,考察常用摩擦改进剂-烷基二硫代氨基甲酸钼(MoDTC)对涂层摩擦学性能的影响,并通过电子扫描电镜和 X 射线光电子能谱技术等表征探究 MoDTC 的减摩作用机制。 结果表明:与 CrN 涂层相比,CrAlN 涂层结构致密,晶粒细化,机械性能更好。 在添加质量分数为 1%的 MoDTC 后的 PAO 基础油润滑下,表现出更优异的减摩抗磨性能。 对磨痕表面的 XPS 分析表明,在边界润滑条件下,钢/ CrN 和钢/ CrAlN 摩擦运动过程中 MoDTC 均发生化学降解反应,生成一层含二硫化钼(MoS₂ )的润滑膜,且后者产生的 MoS₂ 含量更高,因而表现出更优的摩擦学性能。 研究结果对延长汽车发动机的使用寿命具有指导意义。     

Dry sliding wear behavior of PVD TiN,Ti55Al45N,and Ti35Al65N coatings at temperatures up to 600 °C

Three PVD nitride coatings (TiN, Ti₅₅Al₄₅N, and Ti₃₅Al₆₅N) with different Al content were deposited on the cemented carbides by cathode arc-evaporation technique. Microstructural and fundamental properties of these nitride coatings were examined. The friction and wear behavior of these coatings were evaluated at temperatures up to 600 °C. The wear surface features of the test samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that the friction coefficient of these nitride coatings is different depending on the temperature. The friction coefficient of TiN coating increased with the increase of test temperature; while the friction coefficient of Ti₅₅Al₄₅N and Ti₃₅Al₆₅N coatings with the addition of Al decreased with the increase of test temperature. The Ti₅₅Al₄₅N and Ti₃₅Al₆₅N coatings exhibited higher wear resistance over the one without Al (TiN coating). The wear resistance of these nitride coatings at high temperature wear tests is significantly dependent on their tribological oxidation behavior. The Ti₅₅Al₄₅N and Ti₃₅Al₆₅N coatings with the addition of Al exhibited improved wear resistance as compared to the TiN coating, which was attributed to that their tribo-chemically formed Al₂O₃ exhibited better tribological properties than the TiO₂ of the latter.     

TiN/TiCN/Al2O3/TiN与TiN/TiCN/Al2O3/TiCNO多层涂层的组织性能比较

目的对比TiN/TiCN/Al_2O_3/TiN和TiN/TiCN/Al_2O_3/TiCNO两种多层涂层的组织性能。方法采用化学气相沉积(CVD)技术在硬质合金基体上沉积TiN/TiCN/Al_2O_3/TiN和TiN/TiCN/Al_2O_3/TiCNO两种多层涂层。通过X射线衍射仪(XRD)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)分析涂层的物相和组织形貌,采用纳米力学测试系统测试涂层顶层的硬度和弹性模量,利用显微维氏硬度计和划痕仪分别测量涂层的显微硬度和结合强度,利用往复式多功能摩擦磨损试验机研究涂层的摩擦磨损性能。结果顶层TiN晶粒为柱状晶,顶层TiCNO晶粒呈细针状。与顶层TiN相比,顶层TiCNO硬度更大,抗塑性变形能力更强。与以TiN为顶层的多层涂层相比,以TiCNO为顶层的多层涂层表面粗糙度、摩擦系数较大,结合强度较低。当磨损只发生在顶层时,耐磨性取决于顶层涂层的性能,TiN/TiCN/Al_2O_3/TiN的磨损体积和磨损率为TiN/TiCN/Al_2O_3/TiCNO的1.2倍。当磨损进行到顶层与Al_2O_3层界面时,结合强度对耐磨性也有重要影响,TiN/TiCN/Al_2O_3/TiN的磨损体积和磨损率是TiN/TiCN/Al_2O_3/TiCNO的82%。结论与TiN/TiCN/Al_2O_3/TiN相比,TiN/TiCN/Al_2O_3/TiCNO的顶层TiCNO硬度较大,抗塑性变形能力强,其顶层耐磨性较好。改善TiN/TiCN/Al_2O_3/TiCNO多层涂层表面粗糙度和结合强度将进一步提高该涂层的摩擦磨损性能。     

TiN-Coating Effects on Stainless Steel Tribological Behavior Under Dry and Lubricated Conditions

The tribological properties of magnetron sputtered titanium nitride coating on 316L steel, sliding against Si₃N₄ ceramic ball under dry friction and synthetic perspiration lubrication, were investigated. The morphology of the worn surface and the elemental composition of the wear debris were examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. TiN coatings and 316L stainless steel had better tribological properties under synthetic perspiration lubrication than under dry friction. Among the three tested materials (316L, 1.6 and 2.4 μm TiN coatings), 2.4 μm TiN coating exhibits the best wear resistance. The difference in wear damage of the three materials is essentially due to the wear mechanisms. For the TiN coating, the damage is attributed to abrasive wear under synthetic perspiration lubrication and the complex interactive mechanisms, including abrasive and adhesive wear, along with plastic deformation, under dry friction.     

Erosion wear of CrN,TiN, CrAlN,and TiAlN PVD nitride coatings

Four nitride coatings (CrN, ZrN, CrAlN, and TiAlN) were deposited on YT15 cemented carbide by cathode arc-evaporation technique. Microstructural and fundamental properties of these nitride coatings were examined. Erosion wear tests were carried out, the erosion wear of these nitride coatings caused by abrasive particle impact was compared by determining the wear depth and the erosion rates of the coatings. The wear surface features were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that the coatings with Al (CrAlN and TiAlN) exhibited higher erosion wear resistance over those without Al (CrN and TiN). The H³/E² of the coating seemed to play an important role with respect to its erosion wear in erosion tests. AlTiN and CrAlN coatings being with high H³/E² exhibited lower erosion rates, while CrN coating with low H³/E² showed higher erosion rates under the same test conditions. Analysis of eroded surface of the coatings demonstrated that the TiN and CrN coatings exhibited a typical brittle fracture induced removal process, while AlTiN and CrAlN coatings showed mainly micro cutting and cycle fatigue fracture of material removal mode.     

Syntheses and mechanical properties of Cr-Mo-N coatings by a hybrid coating system

Effects of Mo content up to 30.4 at.% on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CrN coatings are reported in this study. Ternary Cr-Mo-N coatings were deposited onto steel substrates (AISI D2) using a hybrid coating method of arc ion plating (AIP) using Cr target and DC magnetron sputtering technique using Mo target in N₂/Ar gaseous mixture. The synthesized Cr-Mo-N coatings formed a substitutional solid solution of (Cr,Mo)N where larger Mo atoms replaced Cr in CrN crystal. The Cr-Mo-N coatings showed increased hardness value of approximately 34 GPa at 21 at.% Mo, compared with 18 GPa for pure CrN. The friction coefficient decreased from 0.49 for pure CrN coating to 0.37 for Cr-Mo-N with 30.4 at.% Mo. This result is believed to be due to tribo-layer formation of MoO₃ which is known to function as a solid lubricant.