Hard tribological Ti-B-N, Ti-Cr-B-N, Ti-Si-B-N and Ti-Al-Si-B-N coatings

A comparative investigation of Ti-B-N, Ti-Cr-B-N, Ti-Si-B-N, and Ti-Al-Si-B-N coatings deposited by DC magnetron sputtering and ion implantation assisted magnetron sputtering of composite targets TiBN, TiCrB, TiSiB, and TiAlSiB in an Ar atmosphere or reactively in a gaseous mixture of Ar+N2 is presented. The targets were manufactured by means of a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis method. The microstructure and phase composition of coatings were studied by means of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The films were characterized in terms of their hardness, Young's modulus, elastic recovery, adhesion (critical load), friction and wear. The lifetime of drills coated with Ti-Cr-B-N and Ti-Si-B-N coatings as well as the productivity of the drilling process were examined.