Nanocomposite protective coatings based on Ti–N–Cr/Ni–Cr–B–Si–Fe, their structure and properties

The first results of manufacturing and investigations of a new type of nanocomposite protective coatings are presented. They were manufactured using a combination of two technologies: plasma-detonation coating deposition with the help of plasma jets and thin coating vacuum-arc deposition. We investigated structure, morphology, physical and mechanical properties of the coatings of 80–90 μm thickness, as well as defined the hardness, elastic Young modulus and their corrosion resistance in different media. Grain dimensions of the nanocomposite coatings on Ti–N–Cr base varied from 2.8 to 4 nm. The following phases and compounds formed as a result of plasma interaction with the thick coating surface were found in the coatings: Ti–N–Cr (200), (220), γ-Ni3–Fe, a hexagonal Cr2–Ti, Fe3–Ni, (Fe, Ni)N and the following Ti–Ni compounds: Ti2Ni, Ni3Ti, Ni4Ti, etc. We also found that the nanocomposite coating microhardness increased to H = 31.6 ± 1.1 GPa. The Young elastic modulus was determined to be E = 319 ± 27 GPa – it was derived from the loading–unloading curves. The protective coating demonstrated the increased corrosion resistance in acidic and alkaline media in comparison with that of the stainless steel substrate.