Characterisation of TiN films prepared by electron shower, arc ion‐plating and sputtering methods

Abstract

AbstractIt has been found that TiN films with high wear resistance and high adhesion can be prepared by electron shower deposition and arc ion plating on glass and austenitic stainless steel (SUS 316) substrates. The high wear resistance is principally explained by the grain size and surface morphology. Fine {100}‐faceted crystals (10–150 nm) grew on the surface. The typical morphology of the crystals was triangular pyramidal. The crystallite size was changed by the bias voltage. Faceted crystals produced by arc ion plating were rounded and smoothed by a change in bias, but were unaltered in samples prepared by the electron shower process. The fine faceted surfaces had higher wear resistance than the granularly rounded ones. When TiO2 was formed at the interface of the glass substrate, the adhesion was lowered. The high‐adhesion film prepared by electron shower deposition contained a small amount of TiO2 at the interface.