Microstructure and tribological properties of multilayered ZrCrW(C)N coatings fabricated by cathodic vacuum-arc deposition. Issue 24 (15th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Y.; Wang, Z.W.; Zhang, Z.H.; Shao, M.H.; Lu, J.P.; Yan, J.W.; Zhang, L.; He, Y.Y.
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 48:Issue 24(2022)
• Page Start: 36655
• Page End: 36669
• Publication Date: 2022-12-15
• Subjects: Transition metal nitrides coatings -- Multilayered structures -- dry friction -- Lubricant; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.08.225
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, a series of ZrCrW(C)N multilayer coatings with various transition layers were deposited on AISI304 stainless steel using cathodic vacuum-arc deposition in N2 –C2 H2 gas mixture. The tribological behaviors of sliding against Al2 O3 balls under dry friction and lubricant conditions were investigated using a reciprocating tribometer. The results demonstrated that the ZrCrW(C)N coatings comprised (Zr, Cr, W) (C, N) crystallites and an amorphous carbon phase. It possessed a nano-hardness of 35.4 GPa and an elastic modulus of 417.7 GPa. The friction coefficient of the coating was reduced by 14% compared to that of the 304 matrices, and the wear mechanism changed from adhesive wear to slight abrasive wear under the lubrication steady state. Under dry friction conditions, the ZrCrW(C)N coatings with the entire CrWN transition layer exhibited wear rates of 1.27 ± 0.04 × 10 −8 mm 3 (N m) −1, which were one order of magnitude lower than that of the 304 steel. Compared with the untreated AISI304 stainless steel, the ZrCrW(C)N coating exhibits excellent mechanical and tribological properties under lubricated and dry friction conditions, which are crucial for engineering applications.