Characteristics of TiCN Coating Deposited by Unfiltered Cathodic Arc Evaporation

Abstract

The investigation examined the characteristics and utilization of TiCN coatings on high-speed steel substrates. These coatings were produced via unfiltered cathodic arc physical vapor deposition, commencing with a TiN layer and culminating in a TiCN layer with diverse carbon concentrations. The study found that the coatings exhibited a consistent composition of TiC_0.7N_0.3 and a fine-grained microstructure with an average thickness of approximately 3.4 µm. Nanoindentation tests revealed a high average hardness of 30.74 GPa and Young’s modulus of 349.95 GPa. The coatings’ friction and wear behavior showed temperature dependence, with increased oxidation and phase transformation at elevated temperatures, while consistent performance was observed at room temperature. The TiCN coatings demonstrated excellent mechanical properties and temperature-dependent wear resistance, indicating their suitability for industrial applications requiring high hardness and thermal stability. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing deposition parameters to enhance the coating’s performance in challenging environments. Scratch tests confirmed the coatings’ strong adhesion, with cohesion failing at 49.1 N and adhesion failing at 70.2 N.

Graphical Abstract