IBAD SIN x coating: preparation and tribological properties

Abstract

SIN x coatings have many applications. In some cases, the coatings should have also good tribological properties. Very little work, however, was done in this area. SIN x coatings are prepared by various methods. The Ion Beam Assisted Deposition (IBAD) preparation method has advantages over other methods because it is a low temperature process and resulting coatings have good adhesion to the substrate [J.S. Colligon, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 139 (1991) 199]. We have chosen the high energy IBAD method for the preparation of SIN x coatings. We used nitrogen ions with energy 90 keV, which causes broad ion beam mixing area at the interface between the coating and the substrate, and the adhesion is greater compared to low energy IBAD. We have measured the dependence of the coefficient of friction of IBAD SIN x coatings on steel on the load in dry and lubricant conditions. We have found that coated samples had remarkably smaller coefficient of friction than uncoated ones, especially for low load. Interestingly, there was no difference in the coefficient of friction of coated samples between dry and lubricant conditions.