Nanostructured coatings produced by a novel ultrasonic-assisted method: Coating characterisation and formation mechanism

In this study, we introduce a novel method of mechanical plating to produce nanopowder coatings on a number of metal substrates by using TiN nanopowder as a representative example. This method, proposed earlier by the authors, allows a coating to be applied at room temperatures and atmospheric pressure in a relatively short time. These coatings were characterised for microhardness, roughness, and scratch adhesion. Their micro- and nanostructures were investigated by SEM and TEM. On the basis of the results of these analyses, possible mechanisms of coating formation were tentatively proposed and discussed. To further elucidate the coating formation mechanisms and to estimate the process capability, a mathematical model was developed and verified against the experimental results.