Cu-Al-Ag composite target for PVD protective coatings for magnesium made by powder metallurgy technique

Abstract

Abstract A new composite metal target for physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating on Mg alloys was produced using powder metallurgy (PM) technique. The ternary Cu-Al-Ag composite metal targets were produced in three different compositions with Cu content fixed at 80 wt. % and varying Al/Ag ratios of 1, 1.5 and 7, respectively, resulting in composition Cu-80 wt. % Al-X wt.% and Ag-Y wt.% (X=10.0, 15.0,17.5, and Y=10.0, 5.0, 2.5). Target plates in the chosen composition were synthesized using powder compaction method. Effect of powder mixing time and compaction load on the density and strength of green parts was studied. The effect of powder mixing time, compaction force and silver addition on microstructural and mechanical properties of PVD targets investigated.