Mechanical properties and current-carrying tribological behaviors of sliver-titanium nitride composite ceramic coating

Abstract

Current-carrying friction materials with excellent electrical conductivity and anti-wear ability are in constant demand in both academia and industry. In this work, the sliver-titanium nitride (Ag-TiN) composite ceramic coating was fabricated by an arc ion plating method. The microstructure, chemical composition, crystal structure, mechanical properties and current-carrying tribological behaviors of the Ag-TiN composite coating were systematically studied and the worn surfaces were also thoroughly investigated to analyze the possible tribological mechanisms in detail. The results showed that the Ag-TiN composite ceramic coating achieved uniformly distributed co-deposition of Ag and TiN compositions and exhibited excellent mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. The current-carrying tribological tests also revealed that the Ag-TiN composite coating exhibited exceptional friction reducing, anti-wear and conductive properties during the friction process. The analysis of the worn surface showed that the excellent current-carrying tribological behaviors of the Ag-TiN composite ceramic coating were related to the excellent electrical conductivity, the appropriate mechanical properties and the tribo-layer film formed on the worn surface.