Influence of Coating Deposition Parameters on the Mechanical and Tribological Properties of TiCN Coatings

Abstract

This paper is a continuation of our previous work. The article presents an investigation of the influence of coating deposition parameters, in particular a variation with 50% of both cathodic arc current and bias voltage, on the mechanical and tribological properties of TiCN coatings deposited by the cathodic arc evaporation of metals at a constant gas ratio. The thicknesses of the coatings are measured by the Calotest method using a 30-mm hard steel ball. The determined values are in the range of 734 – 1534 nm. Surface morphology and chemical composition are estimated by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and an Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) of SEM. The determined values of nanohardness are in the range of 10 - 23 GPa and adhesion values are in the range of 28 - 70 N. Tribology of the TiCN coatings is investigated with three different load forces (3N, 5N and 8N) by the CETR UMI Multi-Specimen Test System from Bruker with an Si3N4 ball counter-body. The friction coefficient is measured in the range of 0.19 - 0.23. Coating wear and wear of the counter-body are calculated, according to the standard EN1071-13:2010, wherein the values of the latter are in the range of (2.5 - 30) x 10-6 mm3.