PVD COATINGS BASED ON ZRB2

Coatings based on zirconium boride and zirconium boron nitride were deposited on various steel, molybdenum and german silver substrates employing non-reactive and reactive d.c. magnetron sputter deposition using zirconium diboride (ZrB2) targets. The characterization of the coatings was done by scanning electron microscopy, electron-probe microanalysis and X-ray diffraction. The obtained results are discussed in connection with film properties like hardness, colour, optical constants, corrosion and abrasion resistance. Owing to their very fine-grained to amorphous structure combined with high hardness, colours ranging from silver-grey to dark-grey, good corrosion and abrasion resistance these films offer an excellent choice for the coating of decorative parts or engineering components.