Tribological Behaviour of Gradient TiAlSiN Superhard Coatings

Abstract:

The present study addresses the influence of the gradient microstructure of nanocrystalline TiAlSiN coatings on their tribological behaviour. Cathodic arc deposition was applied to elaborate such coatings, with a total thickness of 3.5 μm, onto stainless steel substrates. Their microstructure has been characterised via Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and has been reported in detail previously. Since the main application of TiN-based coatings is the enhancement of the anti-wear resistance of metallic substrates, this work is focused on the tribological performance of gradient TiAlSiN coatings under dry sliding conditions. For this purpose, tests were carried out in a ball-on-disc apparatus, using an alumina ball as counterbody. The influence of the sliding velocity on the evolution of the friction coefficient and the wear lifetime of the gradient coatings has been evaluated in comparison to those of TiN coatings of the same thickness, tested under the same experimental conditions. It was found that the gradient microstructure results in an increase of the coatings’ mean lifetime by an average factor of three.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 674)
• Pages: 207-212
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.674.207
• Online since: January 2016
• Authors: Athanasios Mourlas, Pandora Psyllaki*, D. Chaliampalias, G. Vourlias, Lilyana Kolaklieva, Roumen Kakanakov
• Keywords: Cathodic Arc Deposition, Friction Coefficient, Gradient Coatings, Nanocrystalline TiAlSiN, Wear Lifetime

References

[1] Y.H. Cheng, T. Browne, B. Heckerman, C. Bowman, V. Gorokhovsky, E.I. Meletis, Mechanical and tribological properties of TiN/Ti multilayer coating, Surf Coat Tech, 205 (2010) 146–151.

DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2010.06.023

[2] Y.H. Cheng, T. Browne, B. Heckerman, E.I. Meletis, Mechanical and tribological properties of nanocomposite TiSiN coatings, Surf Coat Tech, 204 (2010) 2123–2129.

DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2009.11.034

[3] L. Kolaklieva, R. Kakanakov, D. Chaliampalias, G. Vourlias, T. Cholakova, Ch. Pashinski, V. Chitanov, Ch. Bahchedjiev, N. Petkov, E. Polychroniadis, Mechanical, structural and thermal properties of multilayered gradient nanocomposite coatings, J Nano Res, 17 (2012).

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/jnanor.17.193

[4] T. Cholakova, V. Chitanov, D. Chaliampalias, L. Kolaklieva, R. Kakanakov, Ch. Bahchedjiev, N. Petkov, Ch. Pashinski, G. Vourlias, N. Vouroutzis, E. Polychroniadis, Y. Wang, E.I. Meletis, Study of the structural and mechanical properties of nanocrystalline TiAlSiN gradient coatings, J Nano Res, 27 (2014).

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/jnanor.27.15

[5] S. Labdi, Ph. Houdy, P. Psyllaki, M. Jeandin, Elaboration and characterization of Ti and TiN thin films and Ti/TiN multilayers for hard coating applications, Thin Solid Films, 275 (1996) 213-215.

DOI: 10.1016/0040-6090(95)07046-x

[6] Ph. Houdy, P. Psyllaki, S. Labdi, K. Suenaga, M. Jeandin, Tribological properties of Ti/TiN Nanomultilayers, Proceedings of the 1996 MRS Spring Symposium, 434 (1996) 57-62.

DOI: 10.1557/proc-434-57

[7] R. Manaila, A. Devenyi, D. Biro, L. David, P.B. Barna, A. Kovacs, Multilayer TiAlN coatings with composition gradient, Surf Coat Tech, 151 –152 (2002) 21–25.

DOI: 10.1016/s0257-8972(01)01633-4

[8] S.J. Suresha, R. Bhide, V. Jayaram, S.K. Biswas, Processing, microstructure and hardness of TiN/(Ti, Al)N multilayer coatings, Mat Sci Eng A - Struct, 429 (2006) 252–260.

DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2006.05.068

[9] S. PalDey, S.C. Deevi, Properties of single layer and gradient (Ti, Al)N coatings, Mat Sci Eng A - Struct, 361 (2003) 1-8.

DOI: 10.1016/s0921-5093(03)00473-8

[10] S. PalDey, S.C. Deevi, Single layer and multilayer wear resistant coatings of (Ti, Al)N: A review Mat Sci Eng A - Struct, 342 (2003) 58-79.

DOI: 10.1016/s0921-5093(02)00259-9

[11] H. -Y. Li, H. -B. He, W. -Q. Han, J. Yang, T. Gu, Y. -M. Li, S. -K. Lyu, A study on cutting and tribology performances of TiN and TiAlN coated tools, Int J Precis Eng Man, 16 (2015) 781-786.

DOI: 10.1007/s12541-015-0103-4

[12] Y. Tanaka, N. Ichimiya, Y. Onishi, Y. Yamada, Structure and properties of Al–Ti–Si–N coatings prepared by the cathodic arc ion plating method for high speed cutting applications, Surf Coat Tech, 146 –147 (2001) 215–221.

DOI: 10.1016/s0257-8972(01)01391-3

[13] S. Carvalho, N.M.G. Parreira, M.Z. Silva, A. Cavaleiro, L. Rebouta, In-service behaviour of (Ti, Si, Al)Nx nanocomposite films, Wear, 274– 275 (2012) 68– 74.

DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2011.08.018

[14] M. Antonov, I. Hussainova, F. Sergejev, P. Kulu, A. Gregor, Assessment of gradient and nanogradient PVD coatings behaviour under erosive, abrasive and impact wear conditions, Wear, 267 (2009) 898–906.

DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2008.12.045

[15] J. Smolik, M. Gulde, J. Walkowicz, J. Suchanek, Influence of the structure of the composite: nitrided layer/PVD coating, on the durability of forging dies made of steel DIN-1. 2367, Surf Coat Tech, 180 –181 (2004) 506–511.

DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2003.10.152

[16] S. Carvalho, E. Ribeiro, L. Rebouta, J. Pacaud, Ph. Goudeau, P.O. Renault, J.P. Rivière, C.J. Tavares, PVD grown (Ti, Si, Al)N nanocomposite coatings and (Ti, Al)Ny(Ti, Si)N multilayers: structural and mechanical properties, Surf Coat Tech, 172 (2003).

DOI: 10.1016/s0257-8972(03)00323-2

[17] Y. -Y. Chang, S. -J. Yang, W. Wu, Y. -C. Kuo, J. -W. Lee, C. -J. Wang, Mechanical properties of gradient and multilayered TiAlSiN hard coatings, Thin Solid Films, 517 (2009) 4934–4937.

DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2009.03.036

[18] S. Carvalho, E. Ribeiro, L. Rebouta, C. Tavares, J.P. Mendonc, A. Caetano Monteiro, N.J.M. Carvalho, J. Th.M. De Hosson, A. Cavaleiro, Microstructure, mechanical properties and cutting performance of superhard (Ti, Si, Al)N nanocomposite films grown by d. c. reactive magnetron sputtering, Surf Coat Tech, 177 –178 (2004).

DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2003.08.056

[19] C. -M. Karamboiki, A. Mourlas, P. Psyllaki, J. Sideris, Influence of microstructure on the sliding wear behavior of nitrocarburized tool steels, Wear, 303 (2013) 560-568.

DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2013.04.002