The Effect of Substrate Treatment on the Properties of TiAlSiYN/CrN Nanocomposite Coatings

Nanocomposite multilayer coatings are of large interest to the engineering industry because of their functional properties. Titanium nitride-based multilayer structures are very effective as protective layers for mechanical instrumentation. In this paper, selected mechanical and tribological properties for cutting machinery of TiASiYN/CrN system were considered. The columnar (111) coherent growth of the TiAlSiYN on the CrN without layers mixing has been identified via TEM and XRD. But crystal orientation, crystallite size and residual strain were varied depending on Cr interlayer and pre-treatment. Analysis of the experimental data manifests a decomposed Ti0.25Al0.75N phase stabilized by CrN that was suggested as one of the main factors responsible for superhard phase formation. Wear and scratch experiments highlighted improved wear, crack resistance and adhesion to the substrate (Lc5 = 150.1 N) in the sample prepared in Cr plasma without Cr interlayer. Cutting analysis proved the exceptional durability of inserts after coating deposition. Fracture mechanisms were found out to carry an adhesive character over the cohesive.