The influence of the tribological properties of the crystallographic match of TiC/Ti(CxN1-x)/TiN multilayers

The influence has been studied of the crystallographic match of vacuum-are deposited layers in anti-abrasive multi-layer films on their tribological properties. A three-layer coating (TiC/Ti(CxN1-x)/TiN) was selected as a model system and the effects examined of the crystallographic match of the constituent layers in the TiC-Ti(CxN1-x) and Ti(CxN1-x)-TiN interfaces on their sliding-wear-resistance. The sliding-wear characteristics were determined using the sliding friction of a steel ball on the surface of the selected sample followed by measurement of the volume of removed material. The sliding-wear-resistance was taken as the durability indicator-gamma(60). It was found that the sliding-wear intensity of the TiC/Ti(CxN1-x)/TiN multi-layer as a function of the composition of the working atmosphere for the Ti(CxN1-x) deposition changed in a nonlinear manner. The largest value of sliding-wear-resistance (durability indicator gamma(60) = 82 x 10(3) [mm(-3)]) occurred for coating TiC/Ti(CxN1-x)/TiN, when the working atmosphere for the Ti(CxN1-x) layer was C2H2/N-2 = 75%/25%. The minimum of the sliding-wear-resistance (durability indicatory gamma(60) = 10 x 10(3) [mm(-3)]) occurred when the working atmosphere for the Ti(CxN1-x) was C2H2/N-2 = 50%/50%. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.