Effects of the phase composition and grain size of Cr particles in Al–Cr targets on the microstructure and properties of AlCrN coatings. Issue 23 (1st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Zhenyu; Mei, Fangsheng; Chen, Weifei; Yang, Yu; Lin, Xiaoliang; Yuan, Tiechui; Lin, Jianguo
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 48:Issue 23(2022)Part A
• Page Start: 35267
• Page End: 35279
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01
• Subjects: Al-Cr target -- Phase composition -- Cr particle -- AlCrN coating -- Microstructure and properties; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.08.129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: The target source plays an important role in the preparation of hard coatings. In this study, the effects of the phase composition and grain size of Cr particles in Al–Cr targets on the phase composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, oxidation properties and cutting properties of AlCrN coatings were investigated in detail. Three kinds of coatings were prepared from three Al–Cr targets with different phase composition and Cr particles with different grain sizes. The results show that, (1) the dominant phases of all the coatings are the solid solution phase of c-Al(Cr)N; (2)the Alx Cry compound phase in Al–Cr targets can slow down the deposition rate, promote the (200)- preferred grain growth, generate tensile stress and shrink the lattice; and (3) Cr particles with smaller grain sizes in Al–Cr targets can accelerate the deposition rate, promote the selective grain growth of the coatings along the (111) crystal plane and produce large compressive stress, leading to expansion of the lattice. The coating's performance is most affected by the difference of the target source. The Alx Cry compound phase and Cr particles with smaller grain sizes in Al–Cr targets are beneficial to improve the mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of AlCrN coatings at high temperatures but deteriorate their adhesion, leading to the poor cutting performance.