Thermomechanical properties of amorphous metallic tungsten-oxygen and tungsten-oxide coatings. (5th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Besozzi, E.; Dellasega, D.; Russo, V.; Conti, C.; Passoni, M.; Beghi, M.G.
• Is Part Of: Materials & design. Volume 165(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-03-05
• Subjects: Tungsten oxide coatings -- Thermomechanical properties -- Residual stresses -- Thermal expansion coefficient -- Thermal stability; Materials -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Conception technique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2018.107565
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-1275

Abstract

Abstract: Metallic amorphous tungsten-oxygen and amorphous tungsten-oxide films, deposited by Pulsed Laser Deposition, are characterized. The correlation is investigated between morphology, composition, and structure, measured by various techniques, and the mechanical properties, characterized by Brillouin Spectroscopy and the substrate curvature method. The stiffness of the films is correlated to the oxygen content and the mass density. The elastic moduli decrease as the mass density decreases and the oxygen-tungsten ratio increases. A plateau region is observed around the transition between the metal-like (conductive and opaque) films and the oxide ones (non-conductive and transparent). The compressive residual stresses, moderate stiffness and high local ductility of compact amorphous tungsten-oxide films are interesting for applications involving thermal or mechanical loads. The coefficient of thermal expansion is quite high (8.9 ⋅ 10 −6 K −1 ), being strictly correlated to the amorphous structure and stoichiometry of the films. Upon thermal treatments the coatings show a quite low relaxation temperature of 450 K. Starting from 670 K, they crystallize into the γ monoclinic phase of WO3, the stiffness increasing by about 70%. The measured thermomechanical properties provide a guidance for the design of devices which include a tungsten based layer, in order to assure their mechanical integrity. Graphical Abstract: Highlights: Tungsten-oxygen films, 2.1<O/W<3.1: similar amorphous structures O/W∼2.8: switch from metallic to oxide properties 2.6<O/W<2.95: compact films with compressive stress, similar elastic properties O/W>3: porous films with tensile stress, lower stiffness due to open structure Thermal expansion of amorphous W oxides higher than that of crystalline oxide