Effect of Film Thickness on Fatigue Strength of TiAl Alloy Coated with TiAlN Film at Elevated Temperature

The fatigue strength of TiAl intermetallic alloy coated with TiAlN film was studied in vacuum at 1073K using a SEM-servo testing machine. In addition, three kinds of TiAlN films were given by physical vapor deposition (1, 3, and 10μ m). The fatigue strength of 3μ m was highest. Also, the fatigue strength of 1μ m was lowest. From this result, existence of optimum film thickness was suggested because the difference of fatigue strength arose in each film thickness. The justification for existence of optimum film thickness is competition of 45-degree crack and 90-degree crack. The 45-degree crack is phenomenon seen in the thin film (1μ m), and is caused by plastic deformation of TiAl substrate. The 45-degree crack is the factor of the fatigue strength fall by the side of thin film. In contrast, the 90-degree crack is phenomenon in the thick film (10μ m), and is caused as result of reaction against load to film. The 90-degree crack is the factor of the fatigue strength fall by the side of thick film. In conclusion, the optimum film thickness can perform meso fracture control, and improves fatigue strength.