The effect of RF sputtering power on structural, nanomechanical and tribological properties of single layered TaN coatings

Single-layered TaN thin coatings were deposited on Ti6Al7Nb alloy substrates using reactive radiofrequency magnetron sputtering, with variations in target power. To assess the crystalline structure, chemical composition, and surface topography of these coatings, Grazing Incidence x-ray Diffraction (GIXRD), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) were employed, respectively. The study revealed that deposition power impacts the structure and composition of TaN coatings. Further analysis using x-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the TaN coatings predominantly consisted of Ta and N, with trace amounts of oxygen (O 1s). Additionally, nanomechanical testing was conducted to evaluate hardness (H), modulus (E), and scratch properties. Results suggested that multiphase hex-TaN coatings exhibited superior H, E, and scratch properties compared to other cubic-structured TaN coatings. Friction and wear properties against steel balls under dry sliding conditions were determined using a ball-on-disk nanotribometer. The findings showed that mix-phase TaN coating exhibited a minimum coefficient of friction of 0.054 and a wear rate of 2.14 x 10-6 mm3/N.m. Abrasion, ploughing and oxidation were identified as the primary wear mechanism responsible for the wear of the TaN coatings.