Titanium Carbonitride Coatings Research Articles

A HYBRID MEREC-TOPSIS APPROACH FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF PHYSICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITED TITANIUM CARBO-NITRIDE COATING

Titanium carbo-nitride (TiCN) comes under the metal nitride group which can provide a combined property of titanium carbide (TiC) and titanium nitride (TiN) coating. TiCN Coating possess an excellent mechanical and tribological, properties which leads its application in many industries particularly in the Automotive and aerospace industries. TiCN films can be very hard and strong based on the composition and synthesis process. Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) technique is widely used for the preparation of thin film coating because of its ability to precisely control the composition and thickness of the coatings. The properties of the developed coating significantly affect by the PVD process parameters and their levels. Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods are widely used in many sectors for the selection of process parameters based upon some specific criteria. In the present work TiCN coatings were synthesized by using one of the most widely used PVD method called magnetron sputtering. L16 orthogonal array was used as a design of experiment for the experimental work by varying the sputtering process parameters like bias voltage, N2 flow rate and substrate to target distance. After the synthesis, the developed films were tested using atomic force microscopy (AFM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Nanoindentation. From the characterization three response parameters such as hardness (H), Modulus of elasticity (E) and surface roughness (Ra) of the coating has been considered. A hybrid method based on improved removal effects of criteria- technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (MEREC-TOPSIS) approach has been considered for the for the process parameters selection. The results have also been compared with other weight calculation techniques. In all the cases it is observed that experiment no 16 and 15 have got the 1st and second rank respectively. However, experiment no 1 is the last rank in all the cases. From the correlation analysis it is found a strong positive correlation between MEREC-TOPSIS and other methods. The method provides a significant advancement in the selection of optimal parameters, ensuring enhanced coating properties crucial for industrial applications.

Comparative Study of Multilayer Hard Coatings Deposited on WC-Co Hardmetals

This paper examines the impact of a multilayered gradient coating, applied via plasma-activated chemical vapor deposition (PACVD), on the structural and mechanical attributes of nanostructured WC-Co cemented carbides. WC-Co samples containing 5 and 15 wt.% Co were synthesized through a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process using nanoparticle powders and coated with two distinct multilayer coatings: titanium nitride (TiN) and titanium carbonitride (TiCN). Nanosized grain formation without microstructural defects of the substrates, prior to coating, was confirmed by magnetic saturation and coercivity testing, microstructural analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Nanoindentation, fracture toughness and hardness testing were conducted for uncoated samples. After coatings deposition, characterizations including microscopy, surface roughness determination, adhesion testing, coating thickness measurement, and microhardness examination were conducted. The impact of deposited coatings on wear resistance of produced hardmetals was analyzed via scratch test and dry sliding wear test. Samples with higher Co content exhibited improved adhesion, facilitating surface cleaning and activation before coating. TiN and TiCN coatings demonstrated similar roughness on substrates of identical composition, suggesting Co content’s minimal influence on layer growth. Results of the mechanical tests showed higher microhardness, higher elastic modulus, better adhesion, and overall superior tribological properties of the TiCN coating.

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.

Comparison of Structural and Electrochemical Properties among TiCN, BCN, and CrAlN Coatings under Aggressive Environments

The structural and electrochemical properties of the AISI 1045 steel coated with the following coatings, deposited using physical vapor deposition (PVD), were determined: titanium carbo-nitride (TiCN), chromium aluminum nitride (CrAlN) and boron carbo-nitride (BCN). A comparison of the x-ray diffraction results with the XPS results revealed that Ti-C-N, B-C-N and Cr-Al-N were the dominant constituents. The selected deposition conditions such as the nitrogen and carbon contents and activation energy were sufficient to form the coatings. The EIS results showed that CrAlN had the lowest porosity content, followed by TiCN and BCN. These data are linked to the polarization resistance of TiCN, CrAlN and BCN: Rp = 126.42x1010 ± 8.939x1011 KΩ cm2, Rp = 40.49x1010 ± 2.863x1011 KΩ cm2 and Rp = 23.10x1010 ± 1.633x1011 KΩ cm2, respectively; as well as the corrosion rate: 0.0049 ± 0.019 mm for CrAlN, 0.0123 ± 0.014 mm for TiCN and 0.0174 ± 0.010 mm for BCN. The AISI 1045 steel with the CrAlN coating had a higher corrosion resistance compared to the other coatings because Cr increased the electronegativity of CrAlN. These results indicate that the structural and electrochemical properties of the materials, the latter carried out in lubricated environments with simulated real service conditions, depend largely on the nature of the coating. Furthermore, these analyzed coatings can be used on components subjected to stresses with high wear in lubricated environments, specifically in the automotive and metalworking industries.

Structural, mechanical and tribological behavior of TiCN, CrAlN and BCN coatings in lubricated and non-lubricated environments in manufactured devices

This paper presents the structural, mechanical and tribological behaviors for AISI 1045 steel uncoated and coated with Titanium Carbo-nitride (TiCN), Aluminum Chrome Nitride (CrAlN) and Boron Carbo-nitride (BCN) under lubricated and non-lubricated environments. The coating's natural effect on the crystalline structure, chemical composition, as well as the mechanical properties were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nanoindentation and tribological characterization techniques. The results show that the material with the lowest elastic modulus was TiCN (224 GPa), followed by CrAlN (235 GPa), and the BCN (251 GPa). The friction coefficient results for the coatings without lubrication were 0.74, 0.66 and 0.60, respectively, and with lubrication were 0.24, 0.23 and 0.21, respectively. These results indicate that the tribological properties are strongly dependent on the lubricated environment's nature and the coating's nature. Advanced surface treatments are increasingly used in the daily manufacture of parts for the metalworking and automotive industry due to high mechanical and tribological requirements; therefore, TiCN, CrAlN and BCN coatings can be used as future materials for elements subject to high stress and wear in lubricated environments.

Wear and corrosion resistance of titanium carbo-nitride coated Al-7075 produced through PVD

Titanium carbo-nitride coatings were deposited using plasma-assisted physical vapour deposition technique on Al-7075 aluminium alloy plates. Studies were conducted to understand the bonding between the coating and substrate, and to examine the wear- and corrosion-resistant properties under heat treatments. The nature of bonding was characterized using scanning electron microscope. The pin-on-disc wear test, according to G99 ASTM standard, displayed the frictional force, coefficient of friction and wear for the samples. Simultaneously, the corrosion tests, according to G5-14 ASTM standard, performed for a period of 48 h, using electrochemical impedance and potentiodynamic polarization tests displayed the Nyquist and Tafel plots for analysis. The wear and corrosion rates of samples heat-treated at $$500^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$ for 1 h were found to be $$0.066\hbox {e-}6\,\hbox {g\,s}^{{-1}}$$ and $$2.962\hbox {e}2\,\hbox {g mm}^{-2}\,\hbox {s}^{{-1}}$$ , respectively. While that of samples heat-treated at $$500^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$ for 12 h were found to be $$0.366\hbox {e-}6\,\hbox {g s}^{{-1}}$$ and $$4.177\hbox {e}2\,\hbox {g mm}^{-2}\,\hbox {s}^{{-1}}$$ . Both the wear and the corrosion performance investigations were in good agreement with each other. Thus, the tribo-corrosive deterioration of titanium carbo-nitride coated Al-7075 had escalated with an increase in durations of the heat treatment.

Optical and tribological properties of decorative titanium carbonitride coatings

ABSTRACTStainless steel and chromium-electroplated metal can change their metallic surface aspects into different colours by thin film deposition technologies. In this study, the colour change of titanium carbonitride (TiCxNy) thin films as a function of N2 and CH4 flow rates in the deposition process was investigated. TiCxNy thin films were deposited by cathodic arc in an industrial equipment at low temperature (125°C) for decorative purposes. The samples were analysed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, glow discharge optical emissions spectroscopy, nanohardness, nanoscratch test and colorimetric analysis. The colour slightly changes from yellow gold to light bronze with carbon addition in the thin film structure. Scratch test determines an increase of the critical load for both plastic deformation and delamination as the carbon content increases. The failure mode shifts from brittle/ductile mode to ductile mode with the increase of the carbon content.

Effects of spray distance on the microstructure and mechanical properties of reactive plasma sprayed TiCN coatings

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of spray distance on the microstructure and mechanical properties of reactive plasma sprayed titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coatings under nitrogen plasma gas. For this purpose, five different distances were adopted, and the morphology (single splats, surface and cross section) and composition (phase and chemical) of as-sprayed coatings were investigated. Mechanical properties of bonding strength, hardness, elastic modulus as well as indentation toughness of coatings were systematically evaluated. Results show that all of coatings consist of TiCxN1−x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), TiOx, amorphous graphite and CNx phases, and the amount of ternary TiCN increases as the spray distance increases. Typical microstructure of plasma sprayed coatings containing fully melted particle, partially melted particles, un-melted particles and defects (pores and cracks) are observed. As the spray distance increase, the surface morphology and splats shape change from uneven and irregular ones to relatively flat and regular “disc splats” due to the improved dwell time and sufficient melting in plasma jet. In this case, the maximum hardness about 17.8 ± 1.9 GPa, elasticity modulus about 214.5 ± 18.3 GPa and bonding strength about 24.2 ± 2.1 MPa are obtained due to the relatively high TiCN content, favorable indentation toughness and compact microstructure. As the spray distance further increases to 150 mm, irregular “fingers splats” appear, and in this case the mechanical properties of coating are worsened. Therefore, a significant influence of spray distance on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-sprayed TiCN coating is found.

Cytotoxicity of titanium carbonitride coatings for prostodontic alloys with different amounts of carbon and nitrogen

The aim of our work was to examine the cytotoxicity of NiCr alloys coated with Ti(C,N) with different amounts of C and N in the layer on human gingival fibroblasts. Cells were cultured for 24 hours in the alloy extracts or on the surface of tested materials. The viability of the cells exposed to 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-day extracts did not change in comparison to the viability of cells cultured in a control medium assayed by an MTT test. Moreover, the flow cytometry analysis of fibroblasts cultured in direct contact with tested alloys revealed that all coatings except TiC did not induce apoptosis or necrosis. Interestingly, 24 hour fibroblast culture on alloys with Ti(C,N) coatings showed that the number of fibroblasts adhered to these alloys, evaluated by scanning electron microscope, increased with an increase in the content of nitrogen in the layer. The present study demonstrates that Ti(C,N) coatings were not cytotoxic and did not induce apoptosis in Ti(C,N) extracts, nor in direct contact with gingival fibroblasts, and can be considered for biomedical applications in the future.

Structure and wear characteristics of TiCN nanocomposite coatings fabricated by reactive plasma spraying

In this present work, titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coatings were successfully fabricated by reactive plasma spraying from agglomerated Ti-graphite feedstock under reactive nitrogen atmosphere. The microstructure and morphology were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM. The mechanical and tribological performances were measured using a nanoindentation tester, tensile tester and block-on-ring tribometer. Results show that typical equiaxed grains with size about 40–90 nm is obtained. The as-sprayed coating consists of nano scaled TiC0.7N0.3, TiC0.3N0.7 and Ti2O crystalline phases with some amorphous phases (graphite and CNx), which would influence the mechanical and tribological properties of coating directly. When compared with TiN coating, TiCN coating exhibits a higher hardness and higher H/E and H3/E2 ratios with values of 27.1 GP, 0.1 and 0.3 GPa, respectively. This could benefit TiCN coating possessing high deformation resistance and large elastic recoverability to reduce the damage by impact and wear. Furthermore, the main wear mechanism of TiCN coating is tribo-oxidation wear and abrasive wear.

Effect of Ti particle size on mechanical and tribological properties of TiCN coatings prepared by reactive plasma spraying

Titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coatings were successfully fabricated by reactive plasma spraying (RPS) from agglomerated Ti-graphite feedstock. The effect of Ti particle size on the microstructure and phase composition of plasma sprayed TiCN coatings was investigated. The Vickers microhardness of coatings was measured by a Microhardness Test and the corresponding Weibull distribution were also analyzed. In addition, a pin-on-disk tribometer was employed to determine the trobological properties of coatings. Results show that all the coatings consist of TiCxN1−x (0 ≤ x ≤1) and minor Ti2O phases, and the amount of Ti2O increases with the increase of Ti particle size. The Weibull distribution of Vickers microhardness of all the coatings shows apparent scattering, while the coating sprayed with Ti particle size of 28µm exhibits a relatively even distribution. Compared with the coating sprayed with Ti particle size of 14µm or 48µm, the coating sprayed with Ti particle size of 28µm exhibits improved mechanical and tribological properties, which are attributed to the high microhardness and strong bonding strength.

Oxidation Behavior of Titanium Carbonitride Coating Deposited by Atmospheric Plasma Spray Synthesis

As a high-hardness and anti-frictional material, titanium carbonitride (TiCN) thick coatings or thin films are increasingly being used in many industrial fields. In the present study, TiCN coatings were obtained by atmospheric plasma spray synthesis or reactive plasma spray. In order to promote the reaction between the Ti particles and reactive gases, a home-made gas tunnel was mounted on a conventional plasma gun to perform the spray process. The oxidation behavior of the TiCN coatings under different temperatures in static air was carefully investigated. As a result, when the temperature was over 700 °C, the coatings suffered from serious oxidation, and finally they were entirely oxidized to the TiO2 phase at 1100 °C. The principal oxidation mechanism was clarified, indicating that the oxygen can permeate into the defects and react with TiCN at high temperatures. In addition, concerning the use of a TiCN coating in high-temperature conditions, the microhardness of the oxidized coatings at different treatment temperatures was also evaluated.

Biocompatibility of Titanium Carbo-Nitride Coatings with Fetal Rat Calvarial Cells

Surface modification is a promising technique to improve mechanical properties of titanium and titanium alloys by changing the surface composition or microstructures. In this study, titanium carbo-nitride coating had been deposited on Ti-6Al-4V alloy by arc ion plating. The biocompatibility of TiN and TiCN coating on Ti-6Al-4V alloy with fetal rat calvarial cells was assessed by Enzyme Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay (ELISA) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity. The effect of surface coating on IL-1β and IL-6 production was determined by ELISA. On IL-1β and IL-6 production, there were no statistical difference between control and thin coating surfaces. After 7 days of culture, the cells were provided to measure ALPase activity. ALPase activity of cells cultured on TiN and TiCN surface was similar to that seen on cp-Ti.

Effect of TiCN and AlCrN Coating on Tribological Behaviour of Plasma-nitrided AISI 4140 Steel

In the present article, samples made of AISI 4140 steel, pre-treated with plasma nitriding (PN), and coated with different coatings like Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN), Aluminium Chromium Nitride (AlCrN), using Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) technique, were investigated in terms of their microhardness, surface roughness, and dry sliding wear behaviour. Wear tests were performed with a pin-on-disc machine. Coatings were deposited on plasma nitrided samples. The wear behaviour, and wear mechanisms of TiCN- and AlCrN-coated, PN treated AISI 4140 specimens were investigated using a field emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), equipped with an Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer. An SEM was used to study the surface morphology of the worn surfaces. Also, adhesion tests were conducted to investigate the adhesion quality of the coated specimens. The results of the investigation showed improved wear properties. Furthermore, the compound layer formed during nitriding was found to act as an intermediate hard layer, leading to superior sliding wear properties.

Surface‐interface microstructures and binding strength of cathodic arc ion plated TiCN coatings on YT14 cutting tools

A titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coating was deposited on YT14 cutting tool by using a CAIP (cathodic arc ion plating). The surface‐interface morphologies, chemical compositions, and phases of TiCN coatings were observed by using a FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy), EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy), XRD (X‐ray diffraction), respectively, and the bonding energy, surface roughness, and bonding strength were characterized with an XPS (X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy), AFM (atomic force microscope), and scratch test, respectively. The results show that the phases of the TiCN coating are primarily composed of TiN, TiC, and amorphous C, of which the TiC and TiN increases the coating hardness, and the amorphous C atom improves friction and lubrication properties of the coating. The effect of CAIP on the topography of the TiCN coating is at nano‐scale, the Ti and N atoms are enriched in the coating at the bonding interface, and the part of chemical elements are diffused in the gradual transformation layer. The bonding form of the TiCN coating interface is primarily composed of mechanical combination, accompanying with slight metallurgical combination, and the bonding strength is characterized with 60.85 N by scratch test. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Microstructure and wear behavior of nano C-rich TiCN coatings fabricated by reactive plasma spraying with Ti-graphite powders

Abstract In the present study, nanostructured titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coatings were prepared by reactive plasma spray (RPS) from Ti-graphite powders under nitrogen atmosphere. The phase composition, microstructure and wear resistance of the TiCN coatings were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), microhardness tester and block-on-ring tribometer. Results showed that the as-obtained coatings are mainly consisted of C-rich TiC 0.7 N 0.3 phase. The occurrence of C-sp 2 bond indicated the existence of residual graphite in TiC 0.7 N 0.3 coatings. The coating exhibited a typical nanostructure including 90 nm equiaxed grains. The as-obtained TiCN coating had the hardness of ~ 1674 HV and exhibited better wear resistance than TiN coatings, showing low coefficient of friction of 0.28 under 980 N. The wear mechanism of TiCN coatings showed the mixture of adhesive wear and oxide wear under low load while mainly abrasive wear under heavy load.

Corrosion resistance appraisal of TiN, TiCN and TiAlN coatings deposited by CAE-PVD method on WC–Co cutting tools exposed to artificial sea water

A new advanced sintered composite cutting tool has been developed based on tungsten carbide matrix ligated with cobalt (WC–Co) additivated with tantalum carbide (TaC), titanium carbide (TiC) and niobium carbide (NbC) as grain growth inhibitors. Titanium nitride (TiN), titanium carbonitride (TiCN) and titanium aluminium nitride (TiAlN) coatings were deposited on these tools by CAE-PVD technique to find out the best solution to improve the corrosion resistance of this tool in marine environment. The electrochemical behaviours of the specimens in 3.5% NaCl water solution were estimated by potentiodynamic polarization measurements i.e. the open circuit potential (Eoc), corrosion potential (Ecorr) and corrosion current density (icorr). Wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), optical microscopy (OM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigations have been carried on tested and untested specimens to substantiate the corrosion resistance of the tested specimens. Based on the open circuit potential (Eoc) and corrosion potential (Ecorr) results, the tested specimens were ranked as TiN, TiAlN, TiCN and WC–Co while on corrosion current density (icorr) and protective efficiency (P) values they have been ranked as TiN, TiAlN, WC–Co and TiCN. The WAXD, MO and AFM results unambiguously show that the corrosion resistance depends on the nature and morphology of the coating.

Tribological and Corrosion Behaviors of Titanium Carbonitride Coatings in Simulated Biological Fluid

Tribological and Corrosion Behaviors of Titanium Carbonitride Coatings in Simulated Biological Fluid