Mechanical response and frictional characteristics of CuCrCoFeNi coating on a Cu crystalline substrate: An atomic-scale study

Abstract

This research employed the molecular dynamics method to investigate the effects of composition on the mechanical characteristics of the CuCrCoFeNi alloy layer on crystalline Cu substrate during nano scratching. The mechanical properties were evaluated through common neighbor analysis (CNA), stacking faults (SFs), dislocations, coefficient of friction (μ), shear strain, and the number of wear atoms. The study provides important insights into the scratching mechanism by evaluating the effects of coating composition. The augmentation of Ni, Cr, and Fe content is associated with a decrease in the frictional coefficient and a reduction in the quantity of wear atoms. High-entropy alloys (HEAs) coatings rich in Ni, Cr, and Fe provide more effective protection of the Cu substrate.