Ti-B-C nanocomposite coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering

► nc-TiC:B/a-BCx/a-C nanocomposite coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering. ► B is in a solid solution with TiC. ► B induces a rhombohedral distortion of the TiC lattice. ► A contact resistance that is comparable to Ag at loads of ∼1 N.