We present a review of the results of investigations on residual stresses in plasma-vacuum coatings obtained by the physical vapor deposition methods. The data on the character of residual stresses and factors influencing their values and distribution are analyzed. The works are considered that investigate the effect of residual stresses on the physico-mechanical characteristics of the substratecoating system. Recommendations on the further studies of residual stresses in PVD-coatings and the improvement in their level control are presented.Keywords: vacuum plasma coatings, residual stresses, thermal and structural components of stresses, reference potential, intermediate and buffer interlayers, multilayer coating, nanostructural and nanolayer coatings, discontinuous coating.
Introduction.One of the peculiar features of modified surface layers of structural materials is the occurrence of residual stresses therein. Residual stresses in functional coatings affect the performance characteristics and life of parts and tools with coatings, as well as the strength characteristics of both the coating itself and the substrate-coating system. The account of these stresses is required, since the residual stresses promote or inhibit fracture processes, depending on the sign, distribution and mode of loading. Therefore, a strong need exists to correctly estimate the level of residual stresses, to reveal the reasons for their occurrence, to establish the manufacturing factors and parameters of the surface architecture that influence their value.The use of coatings obtained by the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method that has started in the sixties of the last century, is gaining further acceptance, particularly for parts and tools operating under conditions of heavy loads and high temperatures.The goal of the work is to review published investigations involving the defining of the physical nature and value of residual stresses in PVD-coatings, the revealing of the characteristics of the coating formation process and the parameters of the surface architecture that influence these stresses, and also the establishing of the relationship between the strength and wear resistance of the substrate-coating system and the level of residual stresses. We hope that this review will make it possible to state the problems and ways for further investigations on the residual stresses in PVD-coatings and to find the methods for attaining such "useful" level of these stresses that will agree with the maximum mechanical properties.Residual Stresses in PVD-Coatings: Value and Distribution, Physical Nature, and Dependence on Manufacturing Parameters. The occurrence of residual stresses is due to different factors, such as the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion for the substrate and coating materials; the presence of the captured atoms of gas; the condensate imperfection, etc. Assumptions on the physical nature of residual stresses in PVD-coatings are somewhat different. In [1], using the X-ray method, it was determined that res...