Influence of the Addition of the Elements Ti and Cr on the Structure, and Mechanical and Tribological Properties of AlSiN Coatings

The study presents an influence of Al/Ti and Al/Cr ratios on the structural, mechanical and tribological properties of AlTiSiN and AlCrSiN coatings, deposited by the cathodic arc physical vapour deposition method at a temperature of 400 degrees C. The remains of the original AlSiN hexagonal phase were observed in the obtained coatings as well as the crystallites of cubic TiN and CrN, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis assumes the presence of a substoichiometric SiN. The addition of 11 at.% Ti or 13 at.% Cr in AlSiN led to an increase in both the coating's resistance to plastic deformation and the plasticity index. The addition of 13 at.% and 24 at.% Cr to the AlSiN coating structure resulted in a decrease in the average coefficient of friction with 18% and 36% against a counterpart of Al203, respectively, and with 36% for both concentrations against the steel ball counterpart. The addition of Ti has no influence on the values of the coefficient of friction when using ceramic counterpart, while the steel counterpart decreased it up to 30%. Both elements change the abrasion effect of the coating.