Title: Synthesis and characterisation of Ti-C coatings with variable carbon content

Authors: L. Nobili, F. Pagano, P.L. Cavallotti

Addresses: Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica 'Giulio Natta', Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli, 7, 20131 Milano, Italy. ' Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica 'Giulio Natta', Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli, 7, 20131 Milano, Italy. ' Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica 'Giulio Natta', Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli, 7, 20131 Milano, Italy

Abstract: Carbide coatings deposited by PVD techniques can provide different properties according to their structural and compositional features. In particular, MC/a-C(:H) composite coatings (where M is a carbide-forming element) receive increasing attention as wear resistant films with low coefficient of friction. In this work, Ti-C:H coatings were prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering and their atomic ratio Ti/C was varied between 0.14 and 5.3. Maximum hardness values were achieved for Ti/C ratios corresponding to the carbide formation. Nanocomposite coatings with hydrocarbon matrix were deposited after growing a functionally graded interlayer and their tribological properties were investigated both in air and in water.

Keywords: magnetron sputtering; hard coatings; TiC; titanium carbide; tribology; self-lubrication; wear rate; water; Ti–C:H; nanocomposites; FGM; carbide coatings; PVD; physical vapour deposition; wear resistance; nanocomposite coatings; hydrocarbon matrix; nanotechnology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2008.021347

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2008 Vol.2 No.5, pp.350 - 365

Published online: 20 Nov 2008 *

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