Nanocomposite nc-TiC/a-C thin films for electrical contact applications

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2006 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2336302· OSTI ID:20884705

Lewin, Erik; Wilhelmsson, Ola; Jansson, Ulf ^[1]

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1. Department of Materials Chemistry, Angstroem Laboratory, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 538, SE-751 21 Uppsala (Sweden)

Thin film nanocomposites of nanocrystalline TiC embedded in a matrix of amorphous carbon have been prepared by nonreactive unbalanced dc-magnetron sputtering. These samples have been tested as coating materials for electrical contacts and show great potential as an alternative to traditional metallic coatings for contacts subjected to wear and friction. Through variation of composition and deposition temperature different microstructures have been attained. The coatings have been characterized using x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The performance of the coatings has been coupled to the microstructure whereby tuning and optimization possibilities have been identified.

• OSTI ID: 20884705
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 100, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2336302; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CARBON
COATINGS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CRYSTALS
DEPOSITION
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
FRICTION
MICROSTRUCTURE
NANOSTRUCTURES
OPTIMIZATION
PERFORMANCE
RAMAN SPECTRA
RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
SPUTTERING
THIN FILMS
TITANIUM CARBIDES
WEAR
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY