Abstract
To tailor the mechanical properties of an engineering material, manipulating its internal boundaries such as the modulation layer interface boundaries (IBs/IBs) is a standard practice. Major aspects in the design of NbN-NbB2/NbN multilayer coatings are the formation of a continuous, trapezoid matching interface, the adherence of this scale as well as boundary matching mechanism within the scale. Considering these criteria combined with the industrial widespread requirements for excellent nano-hard film materials, we present a sophisticated design concept of extremely multilayered coatings. The controllable growth of NbN-NbB2/NbN multilayers at a constant modulation ratio (tNbN-NbB2:tNbN) of 1:1 with different modulation period was achieved through magnetron sputtering system. The structure, cross-sectional morphology, hardness and elastic modulus of the NbN-NbB2/NbN multilayer coatings were measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nano indenter XP system. Detailed high resolution transmission electron microscopy, as well as X-ray diffraction investigations of as deposited and annealed coatings highlighted that coatings with a bilayer period of 35 nm were superior to the other variations. The NbN-NbB2/NbN multilayers with different modulation periods were subsequently annealed in air environment at temperatures of 600 °C for 30 min, and then characterized by extensive measurements. The chemical composition of the thin film as investigated by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed a considerable surface oxidation after exposure to ambient air. The prepared NbN-NbB2/NbN multilayers with a modulation period of 35 nm exhibited better oxidation resistance than other modulation cycles.
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