Tailored synthesis of TiC/a-C nanocomposite tribological coatings

Journal Article · Tue Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.2101810· OSTI ID:20723218

Martinez-Martinez, D; Lopez-Cartes, C; Justo, A; Fernandez, A; Sanchez-Lopez, J C; Garcia-Luis, A; Brizuela, M; Onate, J I ^[1]

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1. Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Sevilla, Centro Mixto CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Americo Vespucio 49, 41092-Sevilla (Spain)

Composite coatings made of nanocrystalline TiC (nc-TiC) particles and amorphous carbon (a-C) have been prepared in a double magnetron sputtering system using graphite and titanium targets under Ar bombardment. Chemical composition and microstructure of coatings were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) for a set of samples prepared varying the ratio and intensity of power applied to each magnetron. Changes in coatings microstructure, from a quasipolycrystalline TiC to a nanocomposite formed by nanocrystals of TiC embedded in an amorphous matrix of carbon (nc-TiC/a-C), are observed depending on the synthesis conditions. Tribological and mechanical properties of coatings were tested using a pin-on-disk tribometer and an ultramicrohardness indenter, respectively. Coatings with moderate hardness (7-27 GPa), low friction (0.1-0.2), and low wear rates (k{approx}10{sup -7} mm{sup 3}/N m) were obtained. A percentage between 15% and 30% of TiC is found as an optimum value to get a good compromise between good mechanical and tribological properties. Finally, a mapping of the mechanical and tribological properties of the nc-TiC/a-C system is presented for the synthesis conditions employed.

• OSTI ID: 20723218
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films, Journal Name: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 23; ISSN 0734-2101; ISSN JVTAD6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
AMORPHOUS STATE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COATINGS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DEPOSITION
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ELECTRONS
FRICTION
GRAPHITE
MICROHARDNESS
MICROSTRUCTURE
NANOSTRUCTURES
PRESSURE RANGE GIGA PA
SPUTTERING
SYNTHESIS
TITANIUM
TITANIUM CARBIDES
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION