Deposition and properties of novel nitride superlattice coatings. Progress report, September 28, 1990--April 1993

Technical Report · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10139894· OSTI ID:10139894

Barnett, S A; Sproul, W D; Wong, M S

We have carried out detailed studies of the processing, structure, and properties of certain polycrystalline superlattice coatings, including TiN/NbN, TiN/VN, TiN/Ni, and TiN/NiCr, which were produced using an opposed, dual-cathode, high-rate, reactive, unbalanced-magnetron sputtering system. The coatings exhibited hardness values as high as 5200 kgf/mm{sup 2} for TiN/NbN, 5100 for TiN/VN, 3500 for TiN/Ni, and 3200 for TiN/NiCr. These hardness values are all twice higher than their corresponding rule-of-mixture hardness values. The structure and properties of the coatings are a strong function of superlattice period, partial pressure of N{sub 2}, and energy and flux of ion bombardment during deposition. Possible mechanisms for hardness enhancement in the polycrystalline superlattice appear to be a result of dislocation blocking due to coherency strains, difference in dislocation line energies between layers, and small grain sizes. In response to high interest shown by industry, BIRL formed a 2-year Industrial Group Program, currently with 12 members, to transfer the superlattice coating technology.

• Research Organization: Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-90ER45434
• OSTI ID: 10139894
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/45434--3; ON: DE93011532
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360201
360203
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
COATINGS
HARDNESS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NICKEL
NICKEL ALLOYS
NIOBIUM NITRIDES
PREPARATION AND FABRICATION
PROGRESS REPORT
SPUTTERING
SUPERLATTICES
TITANIUM NITRIDES
VANADIUM NITRIDES