Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5351314 | Applied Surface Science | 2014 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
Cr2N-7Ag self-lubricating nanocomposite thin films were deposited on substrates made of Cr-V ledeburitic tool steel Vanadis 6 by reactive magnetron sputtering at a deposition temperature of 500 °C, using pure Cr and Ag targets, in a composite low pressure N2/Ar atmosphere. The films are composed of Cr2N-matrix and Ag grains. The films have an average thickness of 4.3 μm. They grew in a columnar manner, but, individual silver agglomerates were visible along the columnar crystals, also. The average size of silver agglomerates lies well below 50 nm. The nanohardness of the Cr2N-7Ag films was 16.17 ± 1.93 GPa, e.g. it was practically the same as for the pure Cr2N so for Cr2N-3Ag coatings analyzed recently. Also, the Young modulus was not negatively affected by elevated silver content. The coatings exhibited good adhesion on the substrate - the first critical loads, established by scratch-testing method, ranged between 31 and 37 N. Annealing of the films at temperatures below the deposition temperature induced only very limited silver redistribution throughout Cr2N-matrix. The film annealed at 500 °C manifested more remarkable Ag-redistribution, being represented by the decrease in population density of Ag-agglomerates on the surface and by the decrease in silver content towards to film/substrate interface. Obtained results infer that there is a good opportunity to design the Cr2N-Ag film for specific tribological applications, through proper choice of the deposition temperature.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemistry
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Authors
Pavel BÃlek, Peter JurÄi, Mária Hudáková, Matej PaÅ¡ák, Martin Kusý, Jana BohoviÄová,