| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 831268 | Materials & Design (1980-2015) | 2011 | 7 Pages |
CrN and CrSiN coatings were deposited on stainless steel substrate by reactive magnetron sputtering. The coatings were characterized for phases, chemical composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM)/energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and nanoindentation technique, respectively. The cubic phase was the only phase observed in both the coatings as observed in XRD results. A dense morphology was observed in these coatings deposited with high nitrogen and Si contents, 50:50 and 18.65 at.%, respectively. Nanoindentation measurement of CrN coatings, with Ar + N2 proportions of 60:40, showed maximum hardness (H) and modulus (E) of 21 ± 0.85 GPa and 276 ± 13 GPa, respectively. The CrN coatings deposited in pure N2 atmosphere showed H and E values of 27 ± 1.62 and 241 ± 10 GPa, respectively. The measured H and E values of CrSiN coatings were found to be 28 ± 1.40 GPa and 246 ± 10 GPa, respectively. The improved hardness in both the coatings was attributed mainly to a reduction in crystallite size, decrease in surface roughness, and dense morphology. The incorporation of Si into the CrN coatings has improved both hardness and Young’s modulus.
Research highlights► Mechanical properties of CrN and CrSiN coatings were investigated by using nanoindentation technique. ► The CrN coatings showed maximum hardness (H) and modulus (E) of 21 ± 0.85 GPa and 276 ± 13 GPa, respectively. ► The improved hardness of the coatings was due to the reduction in crystallite size, decrease in surface roughness, and dense morphology.
