Physical and mechanical properties of (Ti–Zr–Nb)N coatings fabricated by vacuum-arc deposition

Abstract

By vacuum-arc evaporation of a multielement Ti + Zr + Nb cathode in a nitrogen atmosphere, (Ti–Zr–Nb)N coatings are deposited on steel substrates. The coatings are characterized by a columnar structure with nanosized (10–63 nm) crystallites of the main FCC nitride phase (Ti–Zr–Nb)N. At maximal nitrogen pressure P N = 4 × 10–3 Torr, an axial structure of growth of (Ti–Zr–Nb)N crystals with [111] axis is formed, and a maximal coating microhardness value about 45 GPa and adhesion strength of 67 GPa are reached. The friction factor for the system of “coating–Al2O3” is 1.1. Such coatings seem to having prospects as protective ones for couples of friction and cutting tools.