Strategies for Improving the Tribological Characteristics of TiN/а-C Coatings

This work investigates the mechanical properties and tribological characteristics of TiN (single layer) and TiN/a-C (double layer, two types of combinations of elastic-plastic properties of media) coatings based on experimental and theoretical approaches. The microstructure of the synthesized coatings and the relief of the front surface were examined using a scanning electron microscope. The analysis of the conformity of the a-C coating was performed using the disturbed total internal reflection method with an IR Fourier spectrometer. The hardness and reduced elastic modulus of the samples were determined through continuous indentation using a Berkovich pyramid. The intensity of wear and the friction coefficient were determined in a sliding friction mode. The findings of a thorough experimental investigation into the coatings were instrumental in formulating a finite element model of indentation into a two-layer elastic-plastic medium, incorporating varied combinations of elastic and plastic characteristics, as well as distinct relative layer thicknesses. The correlation between the parameters of the considered coatings H/E and H³/E² and the wear intensity was established through experimental means. Theoretically, the functional dependencies of hardness and reduced elastic modulus on the relative thickness of the face metastable layer a-C were established. The optimal thickness ratio of the TiN/a-C coating layers has been determined for given elastic-plastic characteristics of the materials. Such a coating will exhibit optimal tribological characteristics.

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