The Effect of Multilayer Architecture and Ta Alloying on the Mechanical Performance of Ti-Al-N Coatings under Scratching and Uniaxial Tension

Abstract

The present work is focused on a comparative study of the effect of Ti-Al interlayers and Ta alloying on the mechanical behavior of Ti1−xAlxN coatings under normal contact pressure and in-plane straining. The contact loading of the samples was carried out by scratch testing, while the in-plane tensile straining was performed by uniaxial tension of the coated steel substrates. The Ti0.45Al0.55N and Ti0.43Al0.45Ta0.12N monolithic coatings as well as the Ti0.45Al0.55N/Ti0.45Al0.55 multilayer coatings with different number and thickness of the layers were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering. It was found that the introduction of the ductile Ti0.45Al0.55 layers into the Ti0.45Al0.55N coating and alloying with Ta led to their significant toughening. The improved toughness of the Ti0.43Al0.45Ta0.12N coating coupled with high residual compressive stress and high hardness resulted in its strongest resistance to cracking under scratching and tensile straining among the coatings studied. The multilayer coating with the thickest metal layers exhibited the improved resistance to delamination under in-plane straining.

Fatigue and tensile behaviour of Ti+TiN+Ti+TiVN multilayer nitride films coated on AZ91 magnesium alloy by closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering

“…The delayed onset of plastic deformation and the parallel delay in crack initiation, nucleation, and propagation in the coating suggest that the initiation time of cracks in the base material is prolonged, and the crack density is likely reduced. These results support similar studies in the literature [52,53]. For example, Shugurov and Kuzminov (2021) examined the effects of multilayer architecture and Ta alloying on the mechanical performance of Ti-Al-N coatings and obtained similar results [52].…”

“…These results support similar studies in the literature [52,53]. For example, Shugurov and Kuzminov (2021) examined the effects of multilayer architecture and Ta alloying on the mechanical performance of Ti-Al-N coatings and obtained similar results [52]. Amer et al (2022) reviewed in situ mechanical testing of coatings and noted that multilayer coatings could improve performance [53].…”