Mechanical and anti-wear properties of multi-module Cr/CrN coatings

The objects of investigations were Cr/CrN multi-module coatings deposited using a cathodic arc evaporation method (CAPVD) on HS6-5-2C steel used as a substrates. Analysed coatings possesses seven Cr/CrN modules of fixed thickness each, with various thicknesses of Cr and CrN layers. Aiming for the evaluation of mechanical properties of tested multi-module Cr/CrN coatings, its hardness and Young's modulus were measured, on the basis of which were determined values of H/E and H3/E2 ratios. Coatings wear and friction coefficients were measured in so called ball-on-disc test. The adhesion of the coatings was evaluated using scratch tester and was shown that main mechanism of adhesive damage of all tested coatings at higher loads are buckle spallations. All tested coatings are also characterised by good adhesion to the substrate, which is evidenced by the fact that cracked coating remains inside the scratch track. Basing on the analysis of obtained experimental results it was confirmed and explicitly shown that the thickness of the individual layers of Cr and CrN in the multi-module coating significantly affects its critical loads (in scratch test), fracture toughness and wear rate.