Abstract
A V0.38Al0.58Si0.04N coating was prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering, followed by isothermal annealing experiments with various temperatures from 700°C to 1100°C. The evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties as a function of the annealing temperature, was investigated by using nanoindentation tests, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). An age-hardening effect, with an increase in hardness of ~24% after the isothermal annealing at 800°C, was observed in the coating, which could be attributed to grain boundary segregation along with nanometer-size coherent domains formed locally. The sample annealed at 900°C exhibited compacted columnar structure with defined boundaries, where more amorphous phase segregated along the boundaries of parent columns and the columns partially contained coherent nanometer-size domains of V-enriched and Al-enriched. However, accompanied by the appearance of hcp-AlN at 1100°C, the hardness of coating decreased. Both fine cracks and delamination formed in the coating.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
