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Microstructure and tribomechanical properties of multilayer TiZrN/TiSiN composite coatings with nanoscale architecture by cathodic-arc evaporation

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Abstract

Multilayer TiZrN/TiSiN coatings were deposited on steel substrate by the cathodic-arc evaporation technique. The TiZr (75:25 at. %) and TiSi (95:5 at. %) alloy cathodes served as evaporation sources. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, secondary ion mass-spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to investigate the microstructure, elemental composition, phase state and bonding structure of the deposited coatings. Nanoindentation and ball-on-disk tribology tests were used to measure the mechanical and tribological features of the coatings, such as hardness, elastic modulus, toughness, friction coefficient and wear rate. The results show that all multilayers were fcc structures with a strong preferred orientation along (111) plane. The coherent growth of the multilayers contributed to the formation of the fine-grained structure with crystallites of 9.2–11.6 nm size and a low level of residual stresses of− (3.5–5.3) GPa. All multilayer coatings exhibited high hardness up to 38.2 ± 1.15 GPa and elastic modulus up to 430 ± 12.9 GPa, indicating higher resistance against plastic deformation compared to TiZrN and TiSiN films. The result of ball-on-disk wear tests showed that the multilayer sample with the best structural features (modulation period of 20.4 nm, 0.86 at. % of Si, the crystallite size of 9.2 nm and residual stress of− 3.5 GPa) demonstrated the lowest friction coefficient of 0.844 and better wear rate of 3.32·10–5 mm3/N m.

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Acknowledgements

This project was financially supported by the state budget programs of Ukraine, Grants No. 0118U003579 and No. 0119U100787. Furthermore, the project was financed in the framework of the project Lublin University of Technology regional Excellence imitative funded by Polish Ministry of Science and High Education (contract /030/RD/2018,2019).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nanoelectronics, Sumy State University, 2, Rymskogo-Korsakova st, Sumy, 40007, Ukraine

    O. V. Maksakova, A. D. Pogrebnjak & Ya. O. Kravchenko

  2. D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan State Technical University, 69, Protozanov st., 070004, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Republic of Kazakhstan

    S. Zhanyssov & S. V. Plotnikov

  3. Łukasiewicz Research Network–Tele and Radio Research Institute, 11, Ratuszowa st., 03-450, Warsaw, Poland

    P. Konarski

  4. Lublin University of Technology, 38 D, Nadbystrzycka st., 20-618, Lublin, Poland

    P. Budzynski

  5. V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, 4, Svobody sq., Kharkiv, 61022, Ukraine

    V. M. Beresnev & B. O. Mazilin

  6. Academy of Armed Force of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2, Parkent st., 100075, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

    N. A. Makhmudov

  7. Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, 13, Dostyk ave., 050010, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan

    A. I. Kupchishin

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  1. O. V. Maksakova
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Contributions

OVM helped in writing, reviewing and editing, SZ and SVP helped in data curation, PK helped in conceptualization, YOK and PB helped in data acquisition, investigation, ADP helped in supervision, VMB and BOM helped in resources, NAM and AIK helped in formal analysis.

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Correspondence to O. V. Maksakova.

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Maksakova, O.V., Zhanyssov, S., Plotnikov, S.V. et al. Microstructure and tribomechanical properties of multilayer TiZrN/TiSiN composite coatings with nanoscale architecture by cathodic-arc evaporation. J Mater Sci 56, 5067–5081 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-05606-2

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