High-entropy ZrTiCrNiCu coating

Abstract

Abstract A magnetron target made of a high-entropy ZrTiCrNiCu alloy was synthesized by mechanical alloying methods followed by annealing in a vacuum furnace. Using this target, coatings were applied to steel samples with a thickness of 7-10 microns. After thermal annealing, the coatings were nanostructured. In terms of microhardness, the ZrTiCrNiCu coating is not inferior to, and in most cases exceeds the hardness of high-entropy equiatomic alloys. A high entropy coating has a low coefficient of friction. They turn out to be anti-friction, which, most likely, leads to energy savings. In this work, the surface energy, contact potential difference and work function of electrons for high-entropy coatings were determined for the first time.