The influence of carbon content on the characteristics of V–C–N coatings deposited by combined magnetron sputtering and ion implantation (CMSII)

Hard coatings based on transitional metal compounds have received over the years a large interest due to their relative ease of synthesis and outstanding mechanical properties. These advantages make them excellent candidates for industrial applications. Less attention has been paid to vanadium compounds (nitrides and carbides), comparatively than to titanium ones, and the properties of vanadium compounds have not been completely explored yet.This paper reports on the synthesis of vanadium carbonitride coatings produced by a magnetron sputtering deposition method assisted by a high voltage discharge.Chemical composition, phase structure and morphology were determined by using GDOES (Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectrometry), XRD (X-ray Diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) techniques. Coatings with a thickness in the range 10–15 µm and Vickers microhardness up to 3800 HV0.05, depending on the deposition parameters, have been obtained. The wear properties of the coated samples were evaluated using a pin-on-disc tribometer under oil lubricated conditions.