Mechanical properties and friction−wear characteristics of VN/Ag multilayer coatings with heterogeneous and transition interfaces

Abstract

Abstract The heterogeneous multilayer interface of VN/Ag coatings and transition multilayer interface of VN/Ag coatings were prepared on Inconel 781 and Si(100), and the microstructures, mechanical and tribological properties were investigated from 25 to 700 °C. The results showed that the surface roughness and average grain size of VN/Ag coatings with transition multilayer interface are obviously larger than those of VN/Ag coatings with heterogeneous multilayer interface. The coatings with transition multilayer interface have higher adhesion force and hardness than the coatings with heterogeneous multilayer interface, and both coatings can effectively restrict the initiation and propagation of microcracks. Both coatings have excellent self-adaptive lubricating properties with a decrease of friction coefficient as the temperature increases, but their wear rates reveal a drastic increase. The phase composition of the worn area of both coatings was investigated, which indicates that a smooth Ag, Magneli phase (V2O5) and bimetallic oxides (Ag3VO4 and AgVO3) can be responsible to the excellent lubricity of both coatings. To sum up, the coatings with transition multilayer interface have excellent adaptive lubricating properties and can properly control the diffusion rate and release rate of the lubricating phase, indicating that they have great potential in solving the problem of friction and wear of mechanical parts.