Mechanical Behavior and Properties of TiN/TiC Coating Using PACVD

Abstract

A comparison of the mechanical behavior of double-layer (TiN/TiC) coatings with a single-layer (TiN andTiC) coatings has been done in this paper. All coatings with the thickness of 2-3 μm were deposited onto H13 hot work tool steel, by the technique of the plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD). Compositional and structural properties were investigated by the glancing-angle X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Coating mechanical characterizations were also investigated by the knoop hardness indentation; the pin on disc wear test and the atomic force microscopy (AFM) for assessing the hardness, the wear resistance, the surface topology and roughness variations. Mechanical properties such as the hardness, the wear resistance and the surface roughness were changed when the materail type of layers in coatings was variable. The TiN/TiC coatings showed the maximum microhardness (>27 GPa) and had a better wear resistance than the single-layer coatings. Lower surface roughness was also related to the TiC coating.