A comparative study of microstructure,oxidation resistance,mechanical, and tribological properties of coatings in Mo–B–(N), Cr–B–(N) and Ti–B–(N) systems

M–B–(N) (M = Mo, Cr, Ti) coatings were obtained by the magnetron sputtering of MoB, CrB₂, TiB, and TiB₂ targets in argon and in gaseous mixtures of argon with nitrogen. The structure and composition of the coatings have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy, glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The mechanical and tribological properties of the coatings have been determined by nanoindentation, scratch-testing, and ball-on-disk tribological tests. The experiments on estimating the oxidation resistance of coatings were carried out in a temperature range of 600–1000°С. A distinctive feature of TiB₂ coatings was their high hardness (61 GPa). The Cr–B–(N) coatings had high maximum oxidation resistance (900°С (CrB₂) and 1000°С (Cr–B–N)) and possessed high resistance to the diffusion of elements from the metallic substrate up to a temperature of 1000°С. The Mo–B–N coatings were significantly inferior to the Ti–B–(N) and Cr–B–(N) coatings in their mechanical properties and oxidation resistance, as well as had а tendency to oxidize in air atmosphere after long exposure at room temperature. All of the coatings with nitrogen possessed a low coefficient of friction (in a range of 0.3–0.5) and low relative wear ((0.8–1.2) × 10^–6 mm3 N^–1 m^–1.     

Effect of phosphoric acid concentration on corrosion of Cr–Mn–N and Cr–Ni stainless steels

Phosphoric acid concentration (5–85%) effects on the corrosion behaviour of austenitic Fe–18Cr–12Mn–N steel have been studied by potentiodynamic polarisation measurements. After the anodic polarisation, both the film composition and the electronic structure have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The specimen surface examinations have been carried out by scanning electron microscopy. The results of the corrosion behaviour of the steel at issue have been compared to those relevant to two trademark materials [austenitic stainless steels AISI 304 (Fe–18Cr–9Ni) and X14AΓ15 (Fe–14Cr–15Mn–N)] and developed under the same test conditions.     

The Influence of H,W, H/E,H 3/E 2, Structure and Chemical Composition on the Resistance of Ti–B–(N), Mo–B–(N), Cr–B–(N), and Zr–B–(N) Coatings to Cyclic Impact Loading

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - Coatings based on transition metal borides (Ti, Mo, Cr, Zr) were obtained by magnetron sputtering of ceramic targets in Ar and Ar–15%...     

Effect of halide anions and temperature on initiation of pitting in Cr–Mn–N and Cr–Ni steels

Abstract

The pitting corrosion of Cr₁₈Mn₁₂N and Cr₁₈Ni₉ steels in halide solutions (F^?, Cl^?, Br^? and I^?) has been investigated. The study involved cyclic potentiodynamic polarisation tests with subsequent examination of the specimens by both optical and scanning electron microscopy. Values of the critical concentrations of halide ions, [X^?]_cr, beyond which pitting occurs, as well as breakdown potentials for pitting in chloride solution, have been established. In addition, the effect of the temperature over the range of 5–80°C on the critical chloride ion concentration [Cl^?]_cr has been investigated and it has been found that temperature has a negligible effect beyond 40°C.     

Theoretical Analysis of Anomalies in High-Temperature Oxidation of Fe–Cr, Fe–Ni, and Fe–Ni–Cr Alloys

The following anomalies are theoretically analyzed: weakening of the protective ability of dense Cr₂O₃ film during its long-term thermal exposure (because of iron oxidation under the film); lowering of the heat resistance of Fe–Cr and Fe–Ni–Cr alloys during the oxidation (800°C) with an increase in the chromium content over 40 at. %; improving of the protective ability of the films formed at Fe–Ni alloys because of nickel oxidation under the dense FeO film; and the internal oxidation of the Fe 30Ni alloys under the FeO films with the internal formation of FeO oxides and spinel of NiFe₂O₄ type. It is shown that these anomalies can be explained, and the composition of the most heat-resistant alloys calculated, if one takes into account that associates with significantly stronger interatomic bonds than those in ideal solutions can form in solid solutions and cause unlimited solubility of the metallic components in each other.     

Approaches to Increasing the Adhesion Strength of Hard Wear-Resistant Nanostructured Coatings Based on the Ti–B–(Cr,Si, C)–N System

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - The structure and properties of Ti–B–N, Ti–Cr–B–N and Ti–Si–B–C–N coatings, deposited...     

Discontinuous cellular precipitation in a Cr–Mn–N steel with niobium and vanadium additions

The influence of niobium and vanadium additions on the precipitation behaviour in a 24Cr–18Mn–1N austenitic stainless steel is characterised during ageing at temperatures from 800 to 1100 °C. Niobium demonstrates a tendency to stabilise the cubic MX-type precipitates, whereas vanadium encourages the formation of hexagonal close-packed M₂X-type precipitates. Vanadium, furthermore, promotes formation of M₂X-type precipitates by the discontinuous cellular precipitation (DCP) reaction. The presence of sigma phase and a high frequency of austenite twinning occur in association with the DCP reaction during ageing. This behaviour, together with the influence of niobium and vanadium, is used to understand the driving force for boundary migration during the DCP reaction.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of quaternary Cr–Si–O–N films by a hybrid coating system

Quaternary Cr–Si–O–N films were deposited by a hybrid coating system using a Cr cathodic arc target and a Si sputtering target in an Ar/N₂/O₂ gaseous mixture. The influence of oxygen flux rate on the microstructure and properties of the Cr–Si–O–N films were investigated. The results indicated that the oxygen-free Cr–Si–N film exhibited nanocolumnar microstructure containing CrN nano columns and amorphous Si₃N₄ phase. The Cr–Si–O–N films exhibit equiaxed CrN nanocrystallites likely surrounded by amorphous SiO₂ and Si₃N₄ phases. Further increasing the oxygen content gives films containing Cr₂O₃ crystallites. The hardness first increases from 30 GPa for the Cr–Si–N film to a maximum value of approximately 50 GPa for the oxygen content of 16 at.% and then decreases for larger oxygen content. All the Cr–Si–O–N films exhibit low friction coefficient (0.22–0.26) and low residual stress (− 0.03–0.08 GPa). The influence of the oxygen content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Cr–Si–O–N films is discussed.     

Laves phase fields in Cr–Zr–Nb and Cr–Zr–Hf alloy systems

The phase fields of the Laves phase in the Cr–Zr–Nb and Cr–Zr–Hf alloy systems were investigated at 1573 K. The Laves phase formed in the Cr–Zr–Nb alloy system had a broad off-stoichiometric range in the center of ZrCr₂–NbCr₂ pseudo-binary line, while the Laves phase formed in the Cr–Zr–Hf alloy system had a uniform and limited off-stoichiometric range along ZrCr₂–HfCr₂ pseudo-binary line. The results are discussed, in terms of geometric concept of atomic sizes of the constituent atoms.     

High-temperature Oxidation Behavior of a High Manganese Austenitic Steel Fe–25Mn–3Cr–3Al–0.3C–0.01N

In this paper, a Fe–Mn–Al–C austenitic steel with certain addition of Cr and N alloy was used as experimental material. By using the SETSYS Evolution synchronous differential thermal analysis apparatus, the scanning electron microscope(SEM), the electron microprobe(EPMA) and the X-ray diffraction(XRD), the high-temperature oxidation behavior microstructure and the phase compositions of this steel in air at 600–1,000 °C for 8 h have been studied. The results show that in the whole oxidation temperature range, there are three distinct stages in the mass gain curves at temperature higher than 800 °C and the oxidation process can be divided into two stages at temperature lower than 800 °C.At the earlier stage the gain rate of the weight oxidized in temperature range of 850 °C to 1,000 °C are extremely lower.The oxidation products having different surface microstructures and phase compositions were produced in oxidation reaction at different temperatures. The phase compositions of oxide scale formed at 1,000 °C are composed of Fe and Mn oxide without Cr. However, protective film of Cr oxide with complicated structure can be formed when the oxidation temperature is lower than 800 °C.     

The influence of Cr alloying on microstructures of Fe–Al–Mn–Cr alloys

The effects of increasing chromium content on the phase transformations in Fe–Al–Mn–Cr alloys have been investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The experimental results revealed that increasing the chromium addition would expand both the A12α-Mn and DO₃ phase-field regions.     

On the ω phase formation in Cr–Al and Ti–Al–Cr alloys

The interaction between Al and the transition metals Ti and Cr on the stability of the ω phase in metastable β-based structures was studied. Alloys were quenched from the melt to retain at room temperature a metastable β phase (B2 structure), which is stable at high temperatures. The structural study of the ω phase was carried out by correlating the deviation of ω structure from the ideal ω phase to the compositions of the parent β phase. Deviation of ω structures from the ideal one was related to the electron concentration of the parent β phase. A diffuse ω structure is reported in the Cr₂Al phase (C11_b structure) for the first time. The results are consistent with our previous suggestions that Al stabilises the ω phase in transition metals by lowering the spatial conduction electron concentration in the parent β phase and by enhancing p–d hybridisation of valence electrons. In the ternary Ti–Al–Cr alloys, prolonged annealing of the Ti–30Al–10Cr and Ti–20Al–10Cr alloys at 450°C led to the formation of two types of ordered crystalline ω structure.     

Effect of Intergranular Precipitation on the Internal Oxidation Behavior of Cr–Mn–N Austenitic Stainless Steels

The effect of intergranular precipitation on the internal oxidation behavior of Cr–Mn–N austenitic steels at 1000 °C in dry air atmosphere was investigated using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results show that intergranular M23C6 carbide morphologies play an important role on the internal oxidation behavior of Cr–Mn–N steels. During the period of the oxidation, both discontinuous chain-shaped and continuous film-shaped intergranular M23C6 carbides precipitated along the grain boundaries. Internal oxides of silica preferentially intruded into the matrix along grain boundaries with discontinuous M23C6 carbide particles, while silica was obviously restricted at the interfaces between the external scale and matrix on the occasion of continuous film-shaped M23C6 carbides. It is seemed that reasonable microstructure could improve the oxidation resistance of Cr–Mn–N steels.     

Oxidation induced phase transformation of duplex stainless steel 25Cr–10Mn–2Ni–3Mo–0.8W–0.8Cu–0.5N

Isothermal oxidation behaviour of duplex stainless steel 25Cr–10Mn–2Ni–3Mo–0.8W–0.8Cu–0.5N was investigated at 1050 °C in air through scanning electronic microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The weight gain per unit area was in parabolic relation to oxidation time with a parabolic rate constant (k_p) 1.39 × 10^?12 g² mm^?4 min^?1. An oxidation induced transformed ferrite diffusion layer was observed due to the preferential oxidation of manganese.     

Cr对多弧离子镀TiN及其复合膜(Ti,Cr)N性能的影响

通过改变Cr靶电流强度,在国产AIP 01型多弧离子镀膜机上制备不同Cr含量的(Ti,Cr)N复合薄膜。研究Cr的添加对薄膜硬度、薄膜相结构及晶格常数等性能的影响,探讨薄膜的硬化机理。结果表明:Cr的加入可显著提高复合薄膜的硬度,显微硬度可高达HV2665;复合薄膜是以TiN为基的(Ti,Cr)N薄膜,薄膜中没有独立的CrN和Cr2N相,同时由于Cr的加入,薄膜的择优取向从(111)晶面逐渐过渡到(200)晶面,随Cr靶电流的增大,所得(Ti,Cr)N复合膜中出现单质Cr。     

Structure and Properties of Coatings in the Cr–B–C–N System Obtained Using a CrB2 Cathode by the Method of Pulsed Cathode-Arc Evaporation P-CAE in Ar,N2, and C2H4 Media

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - The technology of pulsed cathode-arc evaporation (P-CAE) has been successfully applied for coating deposition in the...     

Microstructural control of Cr–Si–N films by a hybrid arc ion plating and magnetron sputtering process

The microstructural evolution of Cr–Si–N films deposited by a hybrid arc ion plating and magnetron sputtering process was investigated by varying the sputtering power of Si target and substrate bias voltage. Detailed nanocomposite microstructures of the films were studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the incorporation of Si into the growing CrN films at 0 V led to the formation of a nanocomposite containing CrN nanocolumns embedded in amorphous SiN_x matrix or near-amorphous microstructure. For the films having a Si content of ～10 at.% and ～15 at.%, a negative bias voltage of ?50 V resulted in the aggregation of nanocolumns in the amorphous matrix. Further increase of negative bias voltage to ?250 V led to the formation of a three-dimensional CrN/a-SiN_x nanocomposite microstructure. The mechanism of microstructure evolution is discussed by considering the thermodynamic and kinetic factors.     

Oxidation resistance of （Ti,Al,Cr）N coatings at 800℃

The composite metastable （Ti0.5Al0.5）N, （Ti0.45Al0.45Cr0.1）N and （Ti0.35Al0.35Cr0.3）N coatings were respectively deposited on a wrought martensite steel 1Crl 1 Ni2W2MoV for aero-engine compressor blades by arc ion plating technique with pulse substrate bias. All the coatings have B1NaCl phase with a （200） preferred orientation and dense structures. The results show that the introduction of Cr into （Ti,Al）N gives rise to a minute shrinkage of crystal lattice. The incorporation of chromium into the coatings dramastically improves the oxidation-resistance of the coatings. For （Ti0.5Al0.5）N, a layered oxide scale forms after 100 h oxidation and the outer layer is the blend oxide of TiO2 and Al2O3, and the middle layer is rich in AI and the inner layer is rich in Ti. For （Ti0.45Al0.45Cr0.1）N, the oxide scale possesses a double-layered structure and the outer layer is rich in Ti. For （Ti0.35Al0.35Cr0.3）N, a Cr-rich compound oxide scale of Ti, AI and Cr forms, and a out-diffusion of Fe from steel to the nitride coating and oxide film during the oxidation takes place.     

Solidification structures of Ti–Al–Cr alloys

Phase transformations in the ternary Ti–Al–Cr alloy system have been studied by combining preliminary phase equilibria calculations and microstructural studies of a number of model alloys. The results have contributed to a better understanding of phase equilibria in the Ti–Al–Cr alloy system above 1273 K. A liquid surface projection has been tentatively proposed. Micro-twins have been observed in the monolithic γ phase within a B2 matrix. This supports a previously proposed mechanism for the formation of such a structure in a B2 matrix. The results also suggest that there is no representative orientation relationship between γ and the Ti(Cr,Al)₂ Laves phase. The L1₂ τ phase can be in direct equilibrium with the liquid phase. The ω phase stability has also been studied. The stability of the ω phase is attributed to the electron density of the prior B2 phase. This leads to changes in the effective heat of formation of the ω structure, as concluded from total energy LMTO calculations.