Nanocomposite and Nanocrystalline Materials and Coatings / A Comparative Study of Microstructure and Properties of TiZrN/ NbN and TiSiN/NbN Nanolaminate Coatings

Abstract

Abstract In this work, we present a comparative analysis of the structure and properties of cathodic-arc multilayer TiZrN/NbN and TiSiN/NbN nanolaminates.

It has been found that both nanolaminates are reasonable for tribological applica- tions inasmuch demonstrate improved mechanical properties like super hardness of

36–44 GPa and Young’s modulus of 396–435 GPa. The multilayer structure of both nanolaminates reduces the interfacial shear stress of the coating; however, the TiSiN/ NbN nanolaminate possesses higher fracture toughness and bonding strength. The complete cohesive-adhesive failure of the TiSiN/NbN coating from the substrate occurs at a load of 47 N. Phase segregation, microstructure evolution, and grain

refinement strengthening are the alternative backgrounds for enhanced mechan- ical and adhesive properties of TiSiN/NbN nanolaminate, while for TiZrN/NbN

nanolaminate it is the solid-solution hardening. In summary, the presence of thin amorphous-crystalline TiSiN layers enhances the strength of nanolaminates better than the solid-solution TiZrN crystalline layers.