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Tribological Properties of TiN/Ag Nanocomposite Coatings

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Abstract

Morphology, structure, and tribological behavior of magnetron co-sputtered TiN/Ag nanocomposite coatings deposited at 150 °C with an Ag content in the range of 7–45 at.% were characterized. The coatings show a columnar structure with embedded Ag crystallites of 3–50 nm in diameter, where the columns are characterized by a layered structure with Ag-poor and Ag-rich layers. These layers originate from sample rotation during deposition, where the layer thickness increases with increasing Ag content. These Ag layers become continuous over a critical Ag content. At room temperature the friction coefficient is determined by the film structure, whereas friction and wear at high temperature depend on segregation of Ag to the surface.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the Austrian NANO Initiative via a grant from the Austrian Science Fund FWF (project N401-NAN). The authors would like to thank Prof. C. Teichert, Dr. G. Hlawacek, and T. Klünsner for their support with AFM measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Metallurgy and Materials Testing, University of Leoben, Leoben, 8700, Austria

    Harald Köstenbauer, Gerardo A. Fontalvo & Christian Mitterer

  2. Department of Materials Physics, University of Leoben, Leoben, 8700, Austria

    Harald Köstenbauer & Jozef Keckes

Authors
  1. Harald Köstenbauer
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  2. Gerardo A. Fontalvo
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  3. Christian Mitterer
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  4. Jozef Keckes
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Correspondence to Harald Köstenbauer.

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Köstenbauer, H., Fontalvo, G.A., Mitterer, C. et al. Tribological Properties of TiN/Ag Nanocomposite Coatings. Tribol Lett 30, 53–60 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-008-9312-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-008-9312-7

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