Papers by Author: V. Chitanov

Abstract: A study of the structural and mechanical properties of nanocrystalline TiAlSiN gradient coatings deposited by cathodic arc deposition techniques at 500 °C and post-annealed at 525 °C is presented. Analysis of the coatings, chemical composition and microstructure revealed that the coatings have a structure based on (Ti, Al)N nanocrystals with an average size of 10 nm embedded in an amorphous Si₃N₄ phase. The study of the mechanical properties showed that post-annealing causes improvement and increase of the coatings hardness. A maximum hardness of 48 GPa and elastic modulus of 560 GPa were measured. Also, excellent adhesion to the WC-Co substrate was observed in the post-annealed coatings.

Abstract: Al-Free Nanolayered Metallizations Based on the Transition Metals Ti, Mo, Ni and Pd, with Varied Ti Content, Have Been Developed as an Alternative of the Al-Based Contacts for Sub-Micron Hemts. the Electrical, Morphological and Thermal Properties of the Metallization Schemes Have Been Studied with the Aim of Obtaining the Most Suitable Combination of Low Resistivity, a Smooth Surface and an Acute Edge. the Lowest Resistivity of 8.8x 10-6 Ω.cm2 Has Been Determined with the Ti/Mo/Ti/Au Contact, while the Lowest Surface Roughness of 6 Nm Has Been Measured for the Ti/Ni/Ti/Au Metallization. these Contact Schemes Have Shown much Better Edge Acuity in Comparison to the Al-Based Metallizations.

Abstract: Multilayered, Gradient Tialsin-Based Nanocomposite Coatings Have Been Developed and Investigated with Respect to their Applicability in the Machining Industry. the Main Coating Layer Was Composed of 5-8 Nm Tin and Aln Nanograins. the Coating Possessed Hardness as High as 40 GPA, which Allows it to Be Classified as Superhard. during Heating up to 900oC in Air in Steps of 100oC for 6 H at each Temperature, the Coating Showed Good Stability up to 700oC. Thermal Treatment over this Temperature Caused a Decrease in the Hardness to Values Characteristic for Tialn Multilayered Coatings, while the Adhesion to the Substrate Remained Steady.

Abstract: The real electro-discharge polishing (EDP) system has been presented by an equivalent electrical scheme and described by a corresponded equation system. The Runge-Kutta-Merson method with automatically changed step is used for the numerical solution the equation system. The current through the resistor equivalent to the steam gas wrapper is defined with an I-V characteristic obtained by the method of multi-interval quadratic interpolation-approximation. A mathematical model of the power supply-load system has been realized in Basic and Matlab® languages. On the base of the developed modelling conditions limiting the current and voltage overload in the EDP system have been determined depending on the maximum polished area and the electrolyte temperature.

Abstract: Ohmic properties, thermal stability and surface morphology of Al-based and non-aluminium metallizations are investigated in dependence on the annealing temperature and initial composition. Non-aluminium contacts show poor ohmic properties, while contact resistivity of 3.47x10-5 Ω.cm2 is achieved for Ti/Al/Ti/Au metallization with a former-Ti/Al ratio of (30 wt.% /70 wt.%). Thermal properties of the Al-based metallization are improved by application of Mo layer as a barrier under the upper Au film of the contact structure. These contacts show excellent thermal stability at operating temperatures as high as 400oC. The less Al amount in the contact composition and Mo barrier layer contribute to the smoother surface and better edge acuity.