Tribology performance of CrAlSiN coatings deposited by pulsed current input cathodic arc evaporation

Abstract

This study has explored the effect of cathodic arc evaporation technology using pulsed current input on the wear resistance of the CrAlSiN coatings. The input of arc source current was set by modulating arc pulsed current in the two ranges of 90/120 A as well as 90/150 A, respectively; and also set a constant current of 90 A for comparison. These different current inputting conditions were controlled to obtain three kinds of CrAlSiN coatings in cathodic arc deposition system. The results show that all the coatings have the specific B1-Rock salt structure indexed by their XRD patterns with the (111) and (200) diffraction peaks. The coatings deposited with the pulsed current as compared to that with constant current presents the higher hardness up 4145 HV. After the TGA/DSC analysis in atmosphere, all the coatings are stable up to 1000 °C. The result of tribology test also shows that the CrAlSiN coating deposited with the pulsed current of 90/150 A has the best wear resistance.