Structure and properties of (Zr-Ti-Cr-Nb)N multielement superhard coatings.

Structure and properties of (Zr-Ti-Cr-Nb)N multicomponent nanostructured coatings fabricated by a vacuum-arc deposition have been investigated. It has been found that the coatings thickness attained 6.2 μm, hardness and indentation load that is responsible for the stress exceeding cohesion strength of coatings were H = 43.7 GPa and L = 62.06 N, respectively. In coatings structures have been identified that consist of three interstitial phases having cubic, hexagonal, and tetragonal lattices. The nanocrystallites sizes were from 4 to 7.3 nm. The results of the SEM, TEM, EDS, and XRD analysis have been also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]