Transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy on the worn surface of nano-structured TiAlN/VN multilayer coating

LUO, Q. and HOVSEPIAN, P. E. (2006). Transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy on the worn surface of nano-structured TiAlN/VN multilayer coating. Thin Solid Films, 497 (1-2), 203-209.

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Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2005.10.086

Abstract

Nano-structured TiAIN/VN multilayer hard coatings grown by cathodic arc metal ion etching and unbalanced magnetron sputtering deposition have repeatedly shown low coefficients of friction and wear. In this paper, we employed the combined methods of cross-sectional ion beam milling sample preparation, conventional transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and quantitative spectrum analysis to give a comprehensive characterization of wear induced tribofilm, worn TiAIN/VN surface as well as wear debris. The major wear mechanism operating in the TiAIN/VN coating is the tribo-oxidation wear. A 20-50 nm thick tribofilm was observed on the TiAIN/VN worn surface, having inhomogeneous density, amorphous structure and multicomponent V-Al-Ti-O composition. Therefore the real sliding contact during the ball-on-disk test was a three-body sliding system including the tribofilm, in which the self-sintering and shearing deformation of the multicomponent oxide film played a significant role in determining the low friction coefficient. Owing to the low friction and high hardness, the TiAIN/VN worn surface retained good structural integrity without any crack, delamination or detectable deformation, resulting in minimized mechanical wear. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Item Type: Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Materials and Engineering Research Institute > Advanced Coatings and Composites Research Centre > Nanotechnology Centre for PVD Research
Materials and Engineering Research Institute > Materials Analysis and Research Services
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2005.10.086
Page Range: 203-209
Depositing User: Ann Betterton
Date Deposited: 17 Feb 2010 16:12
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 13:34
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/1132

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