Effect of bias potential on the structure and distribution of elements in titanium-nitride coatings obtained by cathodic-arc deposition

Abstract

It is shown that a change in the pulsed bias potential in the process of the cathodic-arc deposition of titanium nitride has a significant effect on the structure and composition of coatings, as well as on the quantity of the microdroplet fraction. A bias potential of above 50 V leads to a decrease in the coating growth rate, which is related to resputtering of the coating by ions accelerated from the plasma.