Substrate dependence of the scratch resistance of CrNx coatings on steel

Abstract

Hard CrN x coatings were sputter deposited on hot work tool steel (HWTS) and high speed steel (HSS) in an industrial PVD reactor. Coatings were deposited under various nitrogen flows. The thickness, density, hardness, elastic modulus, composition, and stress were determined for the coatings. The specimens were subjected to scratch testing. Two different failure mechanisms were investigated: chipping and complete coating removal. For all specimens, the coating-to-substrate adhesion was that good that adhesion did not limit the scratch resistance. Therefore, the minimum loads at which a given type of failure was initiated were not a measure for the coating-to-substrate adhesion. The scratch resistance was better for coatings on HSS than for coatings on HWTS. This is due to the higher hardness of the HSS. Substrate independent measures for the scratch resistance of the coating were obtained by considering critical track widths instead of critical loads. The hardening of the coating--substrate systems due to the coating was investigated. The uncoated substrates exhibited track width independent scratch hardness. For the coated specimens the scratch hardness increased with increasing track width until chipping of the coating occurred. Complete coating removal coincided with a decrease in hardness. Although the elastic properties, hardness, and thickness of all coatings were more or less equal, CrN1.0 coatings outperformed CrN0.6 coatings in scratch tests both on HSS and on HWTS.