Carbonitride Coatings Research Articles

Structural, mechanical, wear and anticorrosive properties of CrSiCN coatings used for industrial woodworking applications

The woodworking applications are a fast-growing field that aims to create advanced coatings with superior wear resistance, reduced friction, and robust corrosion protection. Chromium silicon carbonitride (CrSiCN) coatings have emerged as a promising solution that offers a unique combination of properties ideal for various industrial applications. The C/N ratio significantly influences the coatings' mechanical and tribological properties. By optimizing the C/N ratio, this research aims to reveal new insights for CrSiCN coatings, enhancing their application in environments that require durability, efficiency, and longevity. In this paper, the effect of the C/N ratio on the structural, mechanical, and corrosion resistance of CrSiCN coatings deposited by cathodic arc evaporation on different steel substrates was studied. The main purpose was to enhance the mechanical and anticorrosion properties of the CrSiCN coatings and to select the optimum parameters for the deposition of layers with superior properties. The results showed that the final properties can be tailored by choosing specific deposition conditions. In this case, the C/N ratio proved to be critical since coatings with higher carbon content presented enhanced corrosion resistance, being able to withstand operating conditions similar to real-life.

Composition, structure, and wear resistance of (TiZrNbMoTa)CxN1-x high entropy alloy carbonitride coatings prepared by reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering

HEN has high hardness and good toughness but a high coefficient of friction and poor wear resistance. In this study, a high hardness, toughness, and wear-resistant HECxN1-x coating was prepared by reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering (RFMS) technology. The phase composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, and tribological properties of the HEN and HECxN1-x coatings were investigated. The results show that all coatings have single-phase rock salt structures. The double anion lattice structure of the HECxN1-x coating produces a high lattice distortion effect and grain refinement effect, which realizes the strengthening and hardening of the coating. When the [C]/([C] + [N]) ratio is 0.3, the hardness of the HECxN1-x coating reaches the maximum value of 41.7GPa, and when the [C]/([C] + [N]) ratio is 0.4, the coating toughness reaches the maximum value of 0.91GPa, which are 48 % and 203 % higher than HEN. The self-lubricating effect of supersaturated precipitated amorphous carbon makes the HECxN1-x coating achieve excellent tribological properties. Among them, HEC0.5N0.5 coating has the best tribological properties, its coefficient of friction (COF) is 0.391, which is 148 % lower than that of HEN coating, and the wear rate is reduced to 1/15 of HEN coating, which is one order of magnitude reduction. Introducing the C element based on HEN can effectively solve the problems of high friction coefficient and poor wear resistance of high entropy nitride ceramic coatings.

Effect of the C/N ratio modification on the corrosion behavior and performance of carbonitride coatings prepared by cathodic arc deposition

This study focuses on investigating carbonitride coatings, specifically CNTi-(Zr, ZrNb, and ZrSi), as promising candidates for enhancing the durability and efficiency of Ti6Al4V materials used in nuclear fusion technology. X-ray diffraction analysis identified distinct phases, including TiN, ZrN, ZrC, and TiC. The corrosion studies showed complete degradation of the TiN, ZrC, and ZrN phases in the TiZrCN coating after tests, while the TiC phase exhibited relative stability. The surface morphologies and elemental mapping analysis demonstrated the loss of homogeneity in element distribution after corrosion process. The addition of Si and Nb elements into TiZrCN significantly influenced the coatings' corrosion behavior, with breakaway corrosion observed in CNTi- (Zr and ZrSi) coatings and localized corrosion in CNTi-(ZrNb) coatings. Notably, the CNTi-(ZrSi) coating formed an oxide phase in the presence of NaCl, whereas the CNTi-(ZrNb) coating exhibited continuous resistance and a low corrosion rate. Irradiation was carried out for the generation of active isotopes, showing that no radioactive isotopes were formed in any of the investigated samples.

Enhancing the Hydrophobicity and Antibacterial Properties of SiCN-Coated Surfaces with Quaternization to Address Peri-Implantitis.

Peri-implantitis is a major cause of dental implant failure. This disease is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the implant, and, while the cause is multi-factorial, bacteria is the main culprit in initiating an inflammatory reaction. Dental implants with silicon carbonitride (SiCN) coatings have several potential advantages over traditional titanium implants, but their antibacterial efficiency has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-bacterial potential of SiCN by modifying the surface of SiCN-coated implants to have a positive charge on the nitrogen atoms through the quaternization of the surface atoms. The changes in surface chemistry were confirmed using contact angle measurement and XPS analysis. The modified SiCN surfaces were inoculated with Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and compared with a silicon control. The cultured bacterial colonies for the experimental group were 80% less than the control silicon surface. Fluorescent microscopy with live bacteria staining demonstrated significantly reduced bacterial coverage after 3 and 7 days of incubation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize the coated surfaces after bacterial inoculation, and the mechanism for the antibacterial properties of the quaternized SiCN was confirmed by observing ruptured bacteria membrane along the surface.

Effect of Si and Nb additions on carbonitride coatings under proton irradiation: A comprehensive analysis of structural, mechanical, corrosion, and neutron activation properties

In the present study, understoichiometric TiZrCN, TiZrNbCN, and TiZrSiCN coatings were produced using the cathodic arc technique with a C/N ratio of approximately 0.5 to investigate their potential use in nuclear technology. The coatings were evaluated for their corrosion resistance in 3.5 % NaCl and neutron activation. The effect of adding Si and Nb to the quaternary TiZrCN system was also investigated. The results showed that the addition of Si (∼4.64 at.%) to the matrix of TiZrCN improved their electrochemical properties in NaCl solution, the protective efficiency was 92%, while the Nb addition (∼5.5 at%) lead to the decrease in corrosion resistance by 1.39 times comparing with TiZrCN. Furthermore, after fast neutron irradiation at a nominal power of 1450 kW, none of the coatings were activated, indicating good radiation resistance. It was determined from the structural analysis that the Ti6Al4V substrate before corrosion consists of hexagonal and cubic space groups with different lattice parameters. By adding Si and Nb, a small amount of ZrO2 and Si3N4 was detected along with the main phases in the TiZrCN structure.

A Comparative Study on the Influence of Al2O3-ZnO ALD Nanolaminates on the Properties of CrCN PVD Sputtered Coatings with Distinctive Morphologies and Microstructures

Chromium carbonitride (CrCN) coatings present the desired characteristics for improving the mechanical properties and the corrosion resistance of marine components. The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of carbon insertion, using CH4 gas flow as the carbon precursor in magnetron sputtering, on the mechanical and electrochemical properties of the CrN coating. Moreover, the influence of the Al2O3-ZnO nanolaminates sealing layers deposited by the atomic layer deposition (ALD) on the properties of distinctive CrCN sputtered coatings (dense and columnar) is investigated. Structural, morphological, and topographical analyses were performed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. The nanoindentation measurements determined the mechanical properties and the electrochemical behavior was evaluated in a saline solution. The results revealed new important insights in the field of duplex treatment based on hybrid deposition using magnetron sputtering and ALD techniques.

Microstructure, mechanical and tribological behavior of CrHfNbTaTiCxNy high-entropy carbonitride coatings prepared by double glow plasma alloy

A series of CrHfNbTaTiCxNy high-entropy carbonitride coatings were prepared as protective hard coatings for Ti60, aiming to solve the problems of high density and poor wear resistant of high-entropy alloy coatings. The coatings were deposited by double glow plasma metallurgy alloy and the microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties were detected. The XRD analysis exhibited that all the coatings show a single NaCl-type structure. The CrHfNbTaTiCxNy coating with a content of 34 at.% C and 10 at.% exhibited relatively excellent wear resistant and low wear rate at different temperature (RT, 300 °C and 500 °C), although the CrHfNbTaTiC have the highest hardness. It can be attributed to the CrHfNbTaTiC0.34N0.1 coating have excellent toughness, plastic deformation resistance, as well as the formation of dense and stable tribo-layer on wear surface during friction, and the wear rate reduce 40.6% compared with 300 °C and 57.3% compared with the CrHfNbTaTiC coating at 500 °C. Accordingly, the main wear mechanism transfer from abrasion wear (at 300 °C) to adhesion wear.

Nanostructured TiAlCuN and TiAlCuCN coatings for spacecraft: effects of reactive magnetron deposition regimes and compositions.

Spacecraft are exposed to a number of factors in the outer space: irradiation by electron flows, high-energy ions, solar electromagnetic radiation, plasma irradiation, and a stream of meteorite particles. All these factors initiate various physical and chemical processes in spacecraft materials, which can eventually lead to failure. To ensure reliable operation of spacecraft, it is necessary to use protective coatings and special radiation-resistant materials. TiAlCuN and TiAlCuCN coatings were formed by reactive magnetron sputtering on different substrates: single-crystal silicon and Titanium Grade 2 wafers. Nitrogen was used as a reactive gas to form nitride coatings and acetylene was used to form carbonitride coatings. The elemental composition was studied by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The structural-phase state of the coatings was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties, such as hardness and Young modulus, were investigated by nanoindentation using a CSM Instruments Nanohardness Tester NHT2. The influence of deposition parameters, such as Ti and Al contents, the degree of reactivity α, and carbonitride formation on the structure and their mechanical properties were considered. It was detected that Cu addition to the coatings has effects on crystallite and growth column size refinement in comparison with the TiAlN and TiAlCN analogues due to its segregation along crystalline boundaries, and thus, imparts better mechanical characteristics. The hardness of TiAlCuN and TiAlCuCN coatings varies in the range of H = 25-36 GPa and Young modulus - E = 176-268 GPa. The impact strength index and the H/E* ratio, as well as the plastic deformation resistance index H3/E*2, were calculated. Due to their high mechanical properties, the formed nitride and carbonitride coatings are promising for use in space technologies.

Structural, mechanical, and tribological properties of CrCN coatings obtained by cathodic arc physical vapour deposition technology at different CH4/N2 gas ratio

Chromium carbonitride coatings were deposited by cathodic arc physical vapor deposition technology at a temperature of 300 °C, as were used the reactive gasses CH4 and N2. The structural analysis of the CrN coating showed a polycrystalline structure with mixed CrN and Cr2N phases. All studied coatings, including the CrC exhibits fcc structure. The phases were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements where a surface oxidation was also detected. The increase of the CH4 gas flow during the deposition process leads to a parabolic trend with the highest hardness of 33.5 GPa for the coating deposited at CH4 / N2 = 0.53. At the same time the lowest coefficient of friction for both counterparts Al2O3 and ZrO2 (0.28 and 0.26, respectively) were measured at CH4 / N2 = 1.86. The tribological tests reveal that the wear of the coatings increases with an increasing CH4 flow rate, whereas the coefficient of friction decreases. This observed contradiction is explained by a phenomenon described as the effect of Rebinder.

Schmid factor analysis for chip flow induced plastic deformation of textured cubic carbonitride coatings

In high-speed metal machining, cutting tools in the form of cemented carbide inserts coated with thin wear-resistant coatings are commonly used. These coatings are often made of metal carbonitrides with cubic rock salt crystal structure and different growth textures. However, the influence of the crystallographic texture of the coatings on their wear by plastic deformation due to the chip flow during machining needs to be revealed further. In this work, in order to analyse the ability of polycrystalline fibre-textured coatings with a rock salt structure to undergo plastic deformation, a method was developed for calculating Schmid factors of such textured coatings as a function of the loading angle of an external force. The Schmid factors were calculated for coatings with 100 and 211 growth textures, and {100} <110>, {110}<110> and {111}<110> as possible slip systems. For the {111}<110> slip systems, the Schmid factors are not much influenced by the force angle and coating texture, which is contrary to the {100}<110> and {110}<110> slip systems. The simulations were compared to wear on the rake face of two textured Ti(C,N) coatings after short longitudinal turning tests. The variation of the degree of plastic deformation of Ti(C,N) coatings with growth texture and external force angle indicates that the dominant activated slip systems are {110}<110> using the machining conditions applied in this work.

Deposition of carbonitride titanium coatings by magnetron sputtering and its effect on tribo-mechanical properties

Metal parts in machinery often fail as a result of damage caused by wear and tear, resulting in the loss of functionality of the products. Thin film solid nitride coatings are used to improve the wear resistance and service life of parts and are considered to be effective. The article presents a brief overview of modern literature in the field of obtaining wear resistant coatings of titanium carbonitride by using magnetron sputtering. The review presents a detailed assessment of the scientific results obtained depending on the deposition parameters and the conditions for obtaining coatings. The results of the coefficient of friction, wear rate of the coating and counterbody, nanohardness and adhesion force of coatings obtained by magnetron sputtering and its modifications are shown. The influence of alloying elements on the mechanical and tribological properties of titanium carbonitride coatings is considered. Recent advances in the production of titanium carbonitride coatings with improved wear characteristics are discussed.

Comparative Study of Tribological and Corrosion Characteristics of TiCN, TiCrCN, and TiZrCN Coatings

Coatings based on titanium carbonitride alloyed with zirconium and chromium were deposited using the method of reactive magnetron sputtering on the surface of titanium VT1–0. The effect of alloying titanium carbonitride with zirconium and chromium on the tribo- and corrosion properties of the coating has been studied. Coatings with different compositions were formed by changing the ratio of alloying elements to titanium in a single target. To study the obtained coatings, a scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, sliding wear test (ball on disk method), and corrosion tests in 0.5 M Na2SO4 and 30% NaCl solution were used. As a result of wear and corrosion tests, friction coefficients, mass index, and corrosion rate of alloyed and pure titanium carbonitride coatings were obtained. The average coefficient of friction of the coatings varied in the range of 0.17–0.31. The values of nanohardness are determined depending on the composition of the coatings. From corrosion data, it is determined that TiCrCN and TiZrCN coatings exhibit better corrosion properties compared to TiCN coatings. As a result of the dependences obtained, the preferred composition of the coating, the most resistant to wear and corrosion damage, was revealed.

Effect of Magnetron Sputtering Deposition Conditions on the Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Wear-Resistant Titanium Carbonitride Coatings

In the present work, the titanium carbonitride coatings were deposited by the reactive magnetron sputtering method at different substrate bias: 0, −70 V, and −100 V. The effect of the substrate bias on the structure, composition, and mechanical and tribological properties of titanium carbonitride coatings was studied. Scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, sliding wear test (ball-on-disk method), X-ray phase, and elemental analysis methods were used to evaluate the tribological properties and microstructure of the thin coatings. The dependencies obtained resulted in the determination of the most preferred mode of deposition by magnetron sputtering at a negative substrate bias in an atmosphere of argon–acetylene–nitrogen.

PVD coatings influence (TiCN, BCN, and CrAlN) on the fatigue life behavior of AISI 1045 steel for automotive applications

This work evaluated the influence of titanium carbo-nitride (TiCN), chromium aluminum nitride (CrAlN), and boron carbo-nitride (BCN) coatings deposited on AISI 1045 steel and their behavior in fatigue life. Suitable deposition parameters were established to obtain appropriate deposition times for polycrystalline growth and desired stoichiometry, as well as a stable layer thickness of ~ 3 μm. The physical and chemical properties of the obtained coatings were established by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nanoindentation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for analyzing the fracture surfaces of the samples subjected to fatigue. The analysis of the fatigue behavior of the uncoated and coated substrates was performed under rotary bending conditions applying maximum alternating stresses in the interval of 55 to 70% of the ultimate strength value, i.e., from 479 to 610 MPa, respectively. The test was conducted at room temperature. It was established that the fatigue resistance properties increased for the three types of coated samples, TiCN, BCN, and CrAlN, with values of 9.6%, 4.2%, and 3.9%, respectively, calculated for 1 × 106 cycles. The highest value in fatigue life improvement corresponded to the TiCN coating. This is associated with the increase in the mechanical properties of the coating, as well as the lower presence of tensile type stresses. The mechanical and fatigue results found in these ternary coatings deposited on AISI 1045 steel open up the possibility of future applications in mechanical devices, e.g., automotive applications with high fatigue demands in service conditions.

Исследование влияния соотношения реакционных газов при осаждении покрытия системы Ti–Al–C–N на изностойкость режущего инструмента

The paper presents the results of the study of the component composition of the reaction gases mixture when synthesizing carbonitride coatings of the Ti–Al–C–N system influencing the cutting tool durability. The coating was applied using the updated unit NNV-6.6-I1 by spraying from two one-component cathodes assisted by the incandescent cathode plasma source. During applying the coating, the mixture of reaction gases of N2 nitrogen and C2H2 acetylene in the ratio of 1:4, 2:3, 3:2, and 4:1 was delivered to the chamber. The paper presents the results of measuring the microhardness of studied specimens, which show that a sample with the coating deposited at the reaction gases ratio of N2:C2H2=2:3 had the largest microhardness value (4870 HV0.05). The paper presents the results of field tests of carbide-tipped tools with the studied coatings. Durability tests identified that a cutter with the coating deposited at the gas ratio of N2:C2H2=4:1 increases the tool durability ten times compared to a cutting tool without coating. Using the electron microscopy method, the authors investigated the chemical composition of the tool cutting face after tests. The analysis of the chemical composition of the surface after cutting showed that the content of coating elements on the surface of the sample with a coating deposited at the 4:1 ratio of the reaction gases of nitrogen and acetylene was considerably higher than that of other studied coatings, which indicates the less coating wear. However, ferrum is present in some areas of the cutting face, which says about the adhesion of treated material to the tool.

Micromechanical and Tribological Properties of Nanostructured Carbonitride Coatings Deposited by PVD Technique

Nanostructured smart coatings (NSC) based on the TiAlSi-CN composite structure elements were deposited using reactive high-power physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique. The advanced modular deposition system included up to 8 high-power magnetron sputtering devices (MSD) allowing operate them simultaneously and exceed power density of 120 W/cm2 within each device erosion zone. The novel designed NSC on bearing steel 100Cr6 substrates demonstrated enhanced mechanical and tribological properties comparably with bearing steel ones required for multifunctional high-tech applications. The deposited NSC containing TiAlSi-CN nanoparticles strengthened by elemental additives Cr and Nb exhibited microhardness as high as 2500 HV values in comparison with 750 HV of 100Cr6 steel substrates. Load-displacement curves obey Meyer’s power-law surprisingly well because power-trendline fitted ones by R-squared value of 0.9999 for all the film-samples. Tribological properties were measured under dry friction conditions between the bearing steel ball of Ø 6 mm and the film-samples’ flat surface. Coefficient of friction (CoF) ranges between 0.22-0.56 depending on a sample and load. Tribotracks worn under the friction indenter were too shallow to evaluate them by Mitutoyo profilometer SJ-500. Therefore, the wear rate was estimated as ball wear of the friction indenter.

Structure and tribocorrosion behavior of TiAlCN coatings with different Al contents in artificial seawater by multi-arc ion plating

In this work, titanium aluminum carbonitride (TiAlCN) coatings with different aluminum (Al) contents were prepared on Ti–6Al–4V alloys using reactive co-sputtering in multi-arc ion plating system. The role of Al content (14.4 at.%-21.5 at.%) on the structure, mechanical properties and tribocorrosion behavior of TiAlCN coatings were studied. According to the x-ray diffraction (XRD) and High-resolution transition electron microscope (HRTEM) results, the TiAlCN coatings possess a nanocomposite structure composed of nanocrystalline TiN/TiC/AlN embedded in an amorphous carbon matrix. When the Al content is low (14.4 at.%), the coatings exhibits ultra-high hardness (42.6 GPa). Further increase of the Al content, the hardness of the coating reduced, as the formation of amorphous carbon increased in the coating (16.8 and 21.5 at.%). In addition, the coating with 14.4 at.% Al content also reveal better tribocorrosion performance in artificial seawater than other high Al content coatings as well as the substrate. This is owing to the denser structure can prevent the penetration of the corrosive media thus limits the material loss. Moreover, the material loss in tribocorrosion experiment is not only caused by the summation of pure corrosion and pure wear loss, but also the synergism between corrosion and wear takes a large proportion of the total volume loss.

Influences of Nitrogen Flow Rate on Microstructure, Mechanical and Tribological Properties of WCN Coatings Deposited by HiPIMS

Tungsten carbide (WC) and Tungsten carbonitride (WCN) coatings are deposited by reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) with various nitrogen gas flow rates. The characteristics of discharge current and plasma optical emission of HiPIMS are recorded by oscilloscope (OSC) and optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The results exhibit that the peak discharge currents and the intensities of optical emission spectra lines are significantly influenced by the addition of nitrogen. The elemental concentration, microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties in ambient temperature and high temperature of deposited coatings are investigated by a wide variety of techniques such as energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nano-indentation measurement, scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ball-on-disk tribometer. The results show that WC/WCN coatings with different microstructures, mechanical properties and tribological properties have been produced by controlling the flow rate of N2. Meanwhile, with the N2 flow rate increasing from 0 sccm to 24 sccm, (101) diffraction peak shifts to low angle. Moreover, (102) and (110) peaks’ intensities and the angle of (101) peak of β-W2C phase of the deposited WCN coatings decrease and disappear, and the average grain size decreases from 8.9 nm to 6.4 nm. XPS results show that the intensities of C=N, W–N, W–C–N, and N–O peaks increase while the intensity of C–W peak decreases. The deposited coatings change from slight columnar type to a typically dense and featureless structure, and the surface roughness decreases from Ra 11.6 nm at 0 sccm to Ra 5.7 nm at 24 sccm. The variation of nitrogen flow also plays a role in the mechanical properties of the coatings. It is found that the maximum hardness and elastic modulus of 35.6 GPa and 476.5 GPa appear at 16 sccm N2 flow rate. The results of wear tests demonstrate the addition of nitrogen slightly deteriorates tribological properties at room temperature (25 °C), but can remarkably improve tribological properties at high temperature (400 °C) of WC/WCN coatings deposited with an appropriate flow rate of nitrogen.

Laser-Plasma Deposition of Silicon Carbonitride Films by the HMDS Vapor Gas Flow Activation after a Laser Beam Focus

A new laser-plasma deposition method has been developed for the plasma chemical deposition of hard silicon carbonitride coatings on stainless steel substrates from the hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) Si2NH(CH3)6 vapor in a high-speed Ar and Ar + 10 vol.% He gas stream at the HMDS gas flow activation after the laser beam focus. The method allows depositing silicon carbonitride coatings at the rate of 0.4 - 1.2 μm·min-1, i.e. ~2 times higher than that at introducing HMDS in the laser beam focus zone. The properties of the prepared coatings have been studied by the methods of IR and Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanoindentation and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Studying the film structure with the use of XRD showed that the prepared silicon carbonitride coatings are X-ray amorphous. It has been found that the coating deposition rate and the structure of coatings depend on the process parameters: HMDS flow rate and plasma-generating gas (argon or (Ar + He). The method allows depositing SiCN films at a high speed and a hardness of 20 - 22 GPa.

DEPOSITION OF HARD SILICON CARBONITRIDE COATINGS FROM HEXAMETHYLDISILAZANE (HMDS) AND HMDS+BENZENE VAPORS IN LASER PLASMA

Hard silicon carbonitride coatings are prepared using Ar and Ar (10 vol.% He) laser plasma from hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) [(CH3)3Si]2NH and HMDS+benzene vapors. The coatings are characterized by infrared (IR), Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The obtained coatings are amorphous and uniform in composition and over the film thickness. The microhardness of coatings synthesized on steel from a HMDS+ benzene mixture increases from 12 GPa to 18 GPa provided that other parameters remain constant.