Insights into the oxidation resistance mechanism and tribological behaviors of multilayered TiSiN/CrV _xN hard coatings

Abstract

In the last decades, vanadium alloyed coatings have been introduced as potential candidates for self-lubrication due to their perfect tribological properties. In this work, the influence of V incorporation on the wear performance and oxidation resistance of TiSiN/CrN film coatings deposited by direct current (DC) reactive magnetron sputtering is investigated. The results show that vanadium incorporation significantly decreases the oxidation resistance of the coatings. In general, two layers are formed during the oxidation process: i) Ti(V)O₂ on top, followed by a protective layer, which is subdivided into two layers, Cr₂O₃ and Si-O. ii) The diffusion of V controls the oxidation of V-containing coatings. The addition of vanadium improves the wear resistance of coatings, and the wear rate decreases with increasing V content in the coatings; however, the friction coefficient is independent of the chemical composition of the coatings. The wear of the V-containing coatings is driven by polishing wear.

Keywords

DC magnetron sputtering / TiSiN/CrV _xN multilayer coatings / oxidation resistance / tribology / wear rate

References

[1] Ju HB, Zhou R, Luan J, et al. Tribological performance under different environments of Ti-C-N composite films for marine wear-resistant parts. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 2023, 30(1): 144.

[2] Alimov VK, Roth J. Deuterium retention in chemically vapor deposited tungsten carbide coatings and hot-rolled tungsten exposed to low-energy deuterium plasma. Tungeten, 2022, 4(1): 10.

[3] Wang C, Ji BL, Gu SX, et al. Recent research progress on the compatibility of tritium breeders with structural materials and coatings in fusion reactors. Tungsten, 2022, 4(3): 170.

[4] Ju HB, Yu D, Xu JH, et al. Crystal structure and tribological properties of ZrAlMoN composite films deposited by magnetron sputtering. Mater. Chem. Phys., 2019, 230, 347.

[5] Ju HB, Yu D, Yu LH, et al. The influence of Ag contents on the microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of ZrN-Ag films. Vacuum, 2018, 148, 54.

[6] J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A, 2018, 36(3) art. No. 031511

[7] Ju HB, Ding N, Xu JH, et al. Improvement of tribological properties of niobium nitride films via copper addition. Vacuum, 2018, 158, 1.

[8] Chim YC, Ding XZ, Zeng XT, Zhang S. Oxidation resistance of TiN, CrN, TiAlN and CrAlN coatings deposited by lateral rotating cathode arc. Thin Solid Films, 2009, 517(17): 4845.

[9] Xu YX, Chen L, Liu ZQ, Pei F, Du Y. Improving thermal stability of TiSiN nanocomposite coatings by multilayered epitaxial growth. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2017, 321, 180.

[10] Zhang WH, Hsieh JH. Tribological behavior of TiN and CrN coatings sliding against an epoxy molding compound. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2000, 130(2–3): 240.

[11] Milošev I, Strehblow HH, Navinšek B. XPS in the study of high-temperature oxidation of CrN and TiN hard coatings. Surf. Coat. Technol., 1995, 75, 897.

[12] Djouadi MA, Nouveau C, Banakh O, Sanjinés R, Lévy F, Nouet G. Stress profiles and thermal stability of Cr_xN_y films deposited by magnetron sputtering. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2002, 151–152, 510.

[13] C.K. Liu, H.B. Ju, P.X. Han, et al., The influence of carbon content on the microstructure, mechanical and frictional property of chromium carbon nitride composite films, Vacuum, 178(2020), art. No. 109368.

[14] J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A, 2015, 33(6) art. No. 061513

[15] Lee DB, Lee YC, Kwon SC. High temperature oxidation of a CrN coating deposited on a steel substrate by ion plating. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2001, 141(2–3): 227.

[16] Lu FH, Chen HY, Hung CH. Degradation of CrN films at high temperature under controlled atmosphere. J. Vac. Sci. Technol., 2003, 21(3): 671.

[17] Reiter AE, Mitterer C, Sartory B. Oxidation of arc-evaporated Al_1−xCr_xN coatings. J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A, 2007, 25(4): 711.

[18] Qi ZB, Liu B, Wu ZT, Zhu FP, Wang ZC, Wu CH. A comparative study of the oxidation behavior of Cr₂N and CrN coatings. Thin Solid Films, 2013, 544, 515.

[19] H.B. Ju, R. Wang, N. Ding, et al., Improvement on the oxidation resistance and tribological properties of molybdenum disulfide film by doping nitrogen, Mater. Des., 186(2020), art. No. 108300.

[20] H.B. Ju, R. Zhou, J. Luan, et al., Multilayer Mo₂N-Ag/SiN_x films for demanding applications: Morphology, structure and temperature-cycling tribological properties, Mater. Des., 223(2022), art. No. 111128.

[21] C.K. Liu, H.B. Ju, J.H. Xu, et al., Influence of copper on the compositions, microstructure and room and elevated temperature tribological properties of the molybdenum nitride film, Surf. Coat. Technol., 395(2020), art. No. 125811.

[22] H.B. Ju, R. Zhou, S.J. Liu, L.H. Yu, J.H. Xu, and Y.X. Geng, Enhancement of the tribological behavior of self-lubricating nanocomposite Mo₂N/Cu films by adding the amorphous SiN_x, Surf. Coat. Technol., 423(2021), art. No. 127565.

[23] H.B. Ju, R. Wang, W.X. Wang, J.H. Xu, L.H. Yu, and H. Luo, The microstructure and tribological properties of molybdenum and silicon nitride composite films, Surf. Coat. Technol., 401(2020), art. No. 126238.

[24] Lin YW, Huang JH, Cheng WJ, Yu GP. Effect of Ti interlayer on mechanical properties of TiZrN coatings on D2 steel. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2018, 350, 745.

[25] AL-Rjoub A, Rebouta L, Cunha NF, Fernandes F, Barradas NP, Alves E. W/AlSiTiN_x/SiAlTiO_yN_x/SiAlO_x multilayered solar thermal selective absorber coating. Sol. Energy, 2020, 207, 192.

[26] Vaz F, Rebouta L, Goudeau P, et al. Characterisation of Ti_1−xSi_xN_y nanocomposite films. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2000, 133–134, 307.

[27] H.B. Ju, L.Y. Xu, J. Luan, et al., Enhancement on the hardness and oxidation resistance property of TiN/Ag composite films for high temperature applications by addition of Si, Vacuum, 209(2023), art. No. 111752.

[28] Diserens M, Patscheider J, Lévy F. Mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of nanocomposite TiN-SiN_x physical-vapor-deposited thin films. Surf. Coat. Technol., 1999, 120–121, 158.

[29] Choi JB, Cho K, Lee MH, Kim KH. Effects of Si content and free Si on oxidation behavior of Ti-Si-N coating layers. Thin Solid Films, 2004, 447–448, 365.

[30] L.C. Chang, M.C. Sung, Y.I. Chen, and C.H. Tseng, Mechanical properties and oxidation behavior of CrWSiN films, Surf. Coat. Technol., 437(2022), art. No. 128368.

[31] Aissani L, Fellah M, Nouveau C. Structural mechanical and tribological behavior of reactive sputtered Cr-N and Cr-V-N films. Diffusion Found, 2018, 18, 27.

[32] B.B. Xu, P. Guo, Z.Y. Wang, et al., Anti-wear Cr-V-N coating via V solid solution: Microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties, Surf. Coat. Technol., 397(2020), art. No. 126048.

[33] Qiu YX, Zhang S, Li B, et al. Improvement of tribological performance of CrN coating via multilayering with VN. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2013, 231, 357.

[34] Fu FX, Han SW, Chen Z. Influence of cathode current on corrosion resistance and tribological properties of TiAlN/TiVN hard coatings. Ferroelectrics, 2019, 549(1): 227.

[35] Fernandes F, Loureiro A, Polcar T, Cavaleiro A. The effect of increasing V content on the structure, mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of Ti-Si-V-N films deposited by DC reactive magnetron sputtering. Appl. Surf. Sci., 2014, 289, 114.

[36] Lewis DB, Creasey S, Zhou Z, et al. The effect of (Ti+Al): V ratio on the structure and oxidation behaviour of TiAlN/VN nano-scale multilayer coatings. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2004, 177–178, 252.

[37] Al-Rjoub A, Cavaleiro A, Fernandes F. Structure, morphology, thermal stability and oxidation resistance of multilayered TiSiN/VN films: Influence of TiSiN-layer thickness. J. Mater. Eng. Perform., 2021, 30(6): 3934.

[38] M. Athmani, A. AL-Rjoub, D. Cavaleiro, A. Chala, A. Cavaleiro, and F. Fernandes, Microstructural, mechanical, thermal stability and oxidation behavior of TiSiN/CrV_xN multilayer coatings deposited by D.C. reactive magnetron sputtering, Surf. Coat. Technol., 405(2021), art. No. 126593.

[39] Ju HB, Ding N, Xu JH, et al. The influence of crystal structure and the enhancement of mechanical and frictional properties of titanium nitride film by addition of ruthenium. Appl. Surf. Sci., 2019, 489, 247.

[40] Kacsich T, Gasser S, Tsuji Y, Dommann A, Nicolet MA. Wet oxidation of Ti₃₄Si₂₃N₄₃. J. Appl. Phys., 1999, 85(3): 1871.

[41] Kacsich T, Nicolet MA. Moving species in Ti₃₄Si₂₃N₄₃ oxidation. Thin Solid Films, 1999, 349(1–2): 1.

[42] Danek M, Fernandes F, Cavaleiro A, Polcar T. Influence of Cr additions on the structure and oxidation resistance of multilayered TiAlCrN films. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2017, 313, 158.

[43] Takahashi T, Minamino Y, Hirasawa H, Ouchi T. High-temperature oxidation and its kinetics study of Ti-Al and Ti-V alloys in air. Mater. Trans., 2014, 55(2): 290.

[44] R. Zhou, H.B. Ju, S.J. Liu, et al., The influences of Ag content on the friction and wear properties of TiCN-Ag films, Vacuum, 196(2022), art. No. 110719.

[45] Yang S, Chang Y, Lin D, Wang D, Wu W. Mechanical and tribological properties of multilayered TiSiN/CrN coatings synthesized by a cathodic arc deposition process. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2008, 202, 2176.

[46] Mayrhofer PH, Hovsepian PE, Mitterer C, Münz WD. Calorimetric evidence for frictional self-adaptation of TiAlN/VN superlattice coatings. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2004, 177–178, 341.

[47] Qiu YX, Li B, Lee JW, Zhao DL. Self-lubricating CrVN coating strengthened via multilayering with VN. J. Iron Steel Res. Int., 2014, 21(5): 545.

[48] Rapoport L, Moshkovich A, Perfilyev V, et al. High temperature friction behavior of CrV_xN coatings. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2014, 238, 207.

[49] Aissani L, Fellah M, Radjehi L, Nouveau C, Montagne A, Alhussein A. Effect of annealing treatment on the microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of chromium carbonitride coatings. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2019, 359, 403.

[50] H.B. Ju, N. Ding, J.H. Xu, L.H. Yu, Y.X. Geng, and F. Ahmed, The tribological behavior of niobium nitride and silver composite films at elevated testing temperatures, Mater. Chem. Phys., 237(2019), art. No. 121840.

[51] Ju HB, Huang KH, Luan J, Geng YX, Yang JF, Xu JH. Evaluation under temperature cycling of the tribological properties of the Ag-SiN films for green tribological applications. Ceram. Int., 2023, 49(18): 30115.