Nanostructure and Mechanical Properties of Nanocomposite nc-CrN/a-CN Thin Films

Nanostructured composite films consisting of nanocrystalline CrN (nc-CrN) particles embedded in an amorphous CN (a-CN) matrix deposited on Si(100) (for concentration, microstructure and mechanical analyses) and AISI M42 high-speed steel (for tribological measurements) substrates by unbalanced close-field magnetron sputtering and ion plating will be investigated. A Cr/Cr-C/CrCN graded interlayer will also be introduced between the substrate and film. These nanocomposite films will be characterized and analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron spectroscopy (HRTEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), the optical interference method, nanoindentation measurements, and wear testing. The main objectives are to establish the relationships between residual stress, hardness/plasticity, grain growth, phase fraction, adhesion, and wear behaviour of these nanostructured films. It is expected that the newly developed nc-CrN/a-CN materials will be able to combine high fracture toughness, good adhesion, and wear resistance with a low friction coefficient.