Sputter deposited low-friction and tough Cr-Si3N4 nanocomposite coatings on plasma nitrided M2 steel

Barshilia, Harish C and Deepthi, B and Srinivas, G and Rajam, KS (2012) Sputter deposited low-friction and tough Cr-Si3N4 nanocomposite coatings on plasma nitrided M2 steel. Vacuum, 86 (8). pp. 1118-1125. ISSN 0042-207X

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Abstract

Nanocomposite coatings of Cr-Si3N4 exhibiting low friction and high toughness were prepared on plasma nitrided AISI M2 steel substrates using an unbalanced magnetron sputtering system. The surface morphology and cross-sectional microstructure of the Cr-Si3N4 nanocomposite coatings were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) techniques. Cr-Si3N4 nanocomposite coatings prepared at 48 at.% Cr exhibited a dense microstructure with nanoindentation hardness and toughness values of 19 GPa and 2.0 MPam½, respectively. Nanoscratch measurements indicated that Cr-Si3N4 nanocomposite coatings exhibited good adhesion with a maximum critical load of 150 mN. Ball-on-disc reciprocating tests at a load of 2 N showed that Cr-Si3N4 nanocomposite coatings prepared at 48 at.% Cr exhibited an average friction coefficient of 0.30. FESEM studies of the wear tracks indicated that there was no significant wear loss and the Cr-Si3N4 nanocomposite coatings exhibited only mild wear due to oxidation.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	M2 steel;Cr–Si3N4 nanocomposite coating;Plasma nitriding; Magnetron sputtering; Toughness;Friction coefficient
Subjects:	CHEMISTRY AND MATERIALS > Composite Materials
Depositing User:	Dr. Harish C. Barshilia
Date Deposited:	14 Feb 2012 04:43
Last Modified:	28 Mar 2012 03:41
URI:	http://nal-ir.nal.res.in/id/eprint/10031

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