Microstructure and residual stresses of ZrN/CrN multilayer coatings formed by the plasma-assisted vacuum-arc method

Introduction. The current state of the art in the field of hard coatings application requires the formation of nanostructured compositions using different chemical elements. Modern hard coatings are able to combine different properties such as high hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance. At present, coatings formed by layer-by-layer deposition of zirconium and chromium nitrides are promising. When depositing combinations of chemical elements on various substrates, studies are required aimed at investigating its microstructure and, mainly, residual stresses formed during the deposition of multilayer coatings. The purpose of this work is to investigate the structural-phase state and residual stresses of ZrN/CrN system coatings formed by plasma-assisted vacuum-arc method from the gas phase. Research methods. Samples with coatings of zirconium and chromium nitrides deposited on substrates of hard alloy VК8 are investigated. Transmission electron microscopy is used to study the microstructural characteristics of multilayered coatings and X-ray diffraction analysis is used to quantify macroscopic stresses. Results and discussion. Based on the experimental results obtained it is found that changing the modes of deposition of multilayer ZrN/CrN coatings with regard to rotation speeds of table and substrate holder leads to variations in microstructure, morphology and internal stresses of surface layers of multilayer coatings. It is shown that by changing conditions for the multilayer coating deposition the possibilities of forming ZrN/CrN coatings on the substrate made of VK8 alloy with nanoscale thickness of coating layers open up. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates mainly insignificant stresses, and at high table and substrate rotation speeds – high compressive stresses in the multilayer coating. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that CrN and ZrN coatings have a common multilayer coating growth texture at low rotation speeds, and at high speeds a textural misorientation of the phases of the coating layers is observed. Based on the results obtained it is possible to recommend coatings of ZrN/CrN system as hard coatings.