SURFACE MODIFICATIONS FOR MECHANICAL APPLICATIONS

Chemical and high energy beam conversion coatings, as well as PVD thin films, are characterised to correlate microstructures and mechanical properties. In particular, thermochemical boriding and laser surface melting are considered to produce conversion coatings on iron alloys, and physical vapour techniques to deposit thin films of titanium nitride on iron. The mechanisms leading to selected microstructures and, consequently, to improved surface and interface properties are discussed.