Microstructure and properties of nanostructured thick CrN coatings

Thick polycrystalline CrN coatings (20 μm) were deposited at a high deposition rate (10 μm/h) using a highly ionized plasma generated by modulated pulsed power magnetron sputtering. The microstructure of the thick CrN coating was characterized using transmission electron microscopy. The coating exhibited a super dense microstructure with a grain size in the nanometer range of 100–150 nm. The thick CrN coating showed an average high hardness of 24 GPa, excellent adhesion and wear resistant.

► Thick CrN coatings deposited by the MPPMS technique.
► Extremely dense structure and nanometer scale grains of the thick CrN coatings.
► Good adhesion, toughness and excellent wear resistance of the thick CrN coatings.