Structure and mechanical properties of (Zr, Nb)N, (Zr, Hf)N and (Zr, Nb, Hf)N coatings

Abstract

The paper investigates the structure and mechanical properties of (Zr, Nb)N, (Zr, Hf)N and (Zr, Nb, Hf)N vacuum arc deposited coatings on the Ti-6Al-4V titanium substrate. The coatings are a single-phase ZrN-based solid solution. The highest (17 GPa) microhardness is obtained for the (Zr, Hf, Nb)N coating. The (Zr, Hf)N coating shows the highest critical force Lc3 during scratch tests. A decrease in the niobium concentration in the (Zr, Nb)N coating and the higher hafnium concentration in the (Zr, Hf)N coating, provide the growth in the critical force Lc3.