TiAlN/Cu Nanocomposite Coatings Deposited by Filtered Cathodic Arc Ion Plating

TiAlN/Cu nanocomposite coatings with Cu concentration of 0-1.4 at.% were deposited on the high-speed steel (HSS) substrates by filtered cathodic arc ion plating technique. The chemical composition, microstructure, morphology, adhesion strength, mechanical and tribological properties of the TiAlN/Cu coatings were characterized and analyzed. The results reveal that the coating structure and properties depend on not only the Cu concentration, but also the deposition condition. The addition of Cu significantly decreases the grain size and weakens the texture in the TiAlN/Cu coatings. With increasing the Cu concentration, the coating hardness decreases slightly from 30.7 GPa of the pure TiAlN coating to 28.5 GPa of the TiAlN/Cu coating with 1.4 at.% Cu. All the TiAlN/Cu coatings present sufficient adhesion strength. In addition, the existing state of additive Cu in the TiAlN/Cu coatings is also investigated.