Abstract
The microstructure and chemistry of TiN coatings on type 304 stainless steel were characterized by using a Zeiss EM 902A energy filtering transmission electron microscope equipped with an electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) detector. Thin TiN films were produced by a hollow cathode discharge ion plating coater. It was found by plan-view transmission electron microscopy that the microstructure of the TiN coatings is thickness-dependent. The grain size of TiN ranges from 88 nm at the coating surface down to 9 nm near the TiN–steel interface. In addition, the TiN surface layer shows some degree of texture, but the sub-surface and internal TiN layers are mainly equiaxial and randomly oriented. Chemical analysis by EELS shows that the relative oxygen content increases approximately from the TiN surface to the TiN–steel interface, whereas the relative nitrogen content first decreases slowly and then drops rapidly near the interface. The presence of a Ti2N phase and the deficiency of nitrogen near the TiN–steel interface suggest that the early-deposited TiN is non-stoichiometric. By the periodic cracking method, the ultimate shear stress at the TiN/steel interface and the residual stress in the TiN thin film were estimated to be 2.2 and 12.8 GPa, respectively.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
