Effects of the Thickness Ratio of CrN vs Cr2O3 Layer on the Properties of Double-layered CrN/Cr2O3 Coatings Deposited by Arc Ion Plating

In this study, CrN/Cr2O3 double-layered coatings with various thickness ratios of CrN vs Cr2O3 layer were prepared by arc ion plating technology. The influences of the thickness ratio of CrN vs Cr2O3 layer on the microstructural characteristics as well as the mechanical and tribological properties of the CrN/Cr2O3 double-layered coatings were investigated. The corresponding mechanisms were also discussed. The results indicated that the insertion of CrN layer between the Cr2O3 layer and substrate can effectively decrease the internal stress level of the coating. With increasing the thickness ratio of CrN vs Cr2O3 layer, the surface roughness of double-layered coatings decreased gradually, which had a certain influence on the friction coefficient. In addition, the microhardness also declined gradually, the adhesive strength almost increased linearly, whereas the wear rate declined firstly and then increased slightly. As the thickness ratio was 2:1, the double-layered coating exhibited the best wear resistance.