Investigation of the properties of Al1-xCrxN coatings prepared by cathodic arc evaporation

Al1-xCrxN coatings prepared by different deposition techniques were investigated in the past, for which excellent oxidation and wear resistance (in comparison to Ti1-xAlxN-coatings) was found. In this work Al1-xCrxN films are deposited from Al1-xCrx targets with various composition (0<x<1) by the reactive cathodic arc process. in the current study, chemical composition, crystal structure and mechanical properties like hardness, wear rate and film stress are characterized. For determination of the phase and structure stability at higher temperatures, heat treatments in inert gas atmosphere were carried out. In oxidation experiments, it is shown that with increasing Al-content the oxidation-start temperature shifts to higher values. The different chemical composition and the results of mechanical and chemical characteristics were correlated to cutting test results. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.