Tribological properties of sputter deposited ZrN coatings on titanium modified austenitic stainless steel

Tribological behaviour of ZrN coatings deposited on titanium modified austenitic stainless steel (alloy D-9) substrates is investigated. The coatings were deposited in the deposition temperature range 300–873 K using the pulsed magnetron sputtering technique. A comparative tribological study was performed with steel and ceramic balls such as alumina and silicon nitride to evaluate frictional properties of the coatings. ZrN coatings prepared at higher deposition temperature show lower value of coefficient of friction (COF) and the COF is found to be the lowest with the steel ball. The variation in the COF obtained with the steel and ceramic balls is further discussed in relation with morphology and elemental distribution in the wear tracks of the ZrN coatings.

► ZrN coatings with (2 0 0) preferred orientation.
► Coefficient of friction (COF) was lower at higher deposition temperature.
► Formation of adherent tribo-layer using the steel ball.
► Carbon related phases were confirmed by the Raman analysis.