Influence of nitrogen gas flow on the hardness and the tribological properties of a TiAlBN coating deposited by using a magnetron sputtering process

Abstract

With a view to improving the mechanical properties of coatings applied in the field of cutting tools and machine parts, the TiAlBN coatings were deposited by using direction-current (dc) magnetron sputtering with the various contents of nitrogen gas in an argon-nitrogen gas mixture. The structural characteristics of the coatings were determined by using X-ray diffraction, the friction coefficient, and the hardness and elastic modulus of the coatings were investigated by using a tribometer and nano-indentation. The surface morphologies and the roughnesses of the coatings were analyzed by using field emission scaning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Additionally, the effects of nitrogen gas flow on the properties of the TiAlBN coatings were investigated. The structural characterization results revealed a typical face-centered cubic TiN structure with (111), (220), and (222) diffraction peaks. The strongest intensity in the (111) orientation was obtained for the coating prepared at a nitrogen gas flow of 4 sccm. For this kind of samples were obtained the highest values of the hardness and the stability, a low friction coefficient, and a smooth surface.