Preparation and tribological properties of DLC/Ti filmby pulsed laser arc deposition

This paper reports that DLC (diamond like carbon)/Ti and DLC films were prepared by using pulsed laser arc deposition. R-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanoindenter, spectroscopic ellipsometer, surface profiler and micro-tribometer were employed to study the structure and tribological properties of DLC/Ti and DLC films. The results show that DLC/Ti film, with $I(D)/I(G)$ 0.28 and corresponding to 76{\%} sp$^{3}$ content calculated by Raman spectroscopy, uniform chemical composition along depth direction, 98 at{\%} content of carbon, hardness 8.2 GPa and Young's modulus 110.5 GPa, compressive stress 6.579 GPa, thickness 46~nm, coefficient of friction 0.08, and critical load 95mN, exhibits excellent mechanical and tribological properties.     

激光熔敷镍石墨烯立方氮化硼涂层的耐磨性能

在AISI 4140基体上采用预置材料激光熔敷的方法制备了镍石墨烯立方氮化硼(Ni-Graphene-CBN)复合材料涂层。X射线衍射(XRD)和Raman测试证明了石墨烯和CBN存在于所制备的涂层材料中。扫描电镜(SEM)图片给出了所制备的复合材料涂层的表面和断面形貌。进行了复合材料涂层的纳米机械性能和耐磨性的测试。测试结果表明:随着CBN含量的增加,复合涂层的硬度及弹性模量相应提高,分别由4.3 GPa提高到6.2 GPa和101 GPa提高到140 GPa; 同时其耐磨性也有明显改善,6% CBN含量的涂层摩擦系数由基体材料的0.2降低到0.15,最大磨损量降到基体磨损量的一半。     

Mechanical properties of kaolinite ‘macro-crystals’

The mechanical properties of a rare sample of kaolinite macroscopic crystals were evaluated using instrumented indentation. The crystals were also characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy before and after heat treatment at 1100°C. The results are explained in terms of the fracture process occurring in the layered structure of kaolinite, and of the effect of roughness on the hardness and elastic modulus. Data analysis using One-way ANOVA (p?<?0.05) showed that the values of hardness and elastic modulus obtained are statistically homogeneous. Before heat treatment, the sample was composed essentially of kaolinite, with hardness of 42?MPa and elastic modulus equal to 1.3?GPa. After calcination at 1100°C, the sample keeps its layered habit and consists of amorphous metakaolinite. The hardness increases to 360?MPa and the elastic modulus increases to 6.9?GPa.     

Characterization of hydrogenated amorphous carbon thin films by end-Hall ion beam deposition

Pure hydrogenated amorphous carbon (α-C:H) and nitrogen doped hydrogenated amorphous carbon (α-C:H:N) thin films were prepared using end-Hall (EH) ion beam deposition with a beam energy ranging from 24 eV to 48 eV. The composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of the films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy (SPM), and nano-scratch tests. The films are uniform and smooth with root mean square roughness values of 0.5-0.8 nm for α-C:H and 0.35 nm for α-C:H:N films. When the ion energy was increased from 24 eV to 48 eV, the fraction of sp³ bonding in the α-C:H films increased from 36% to 55%, the hardness increased from 8 GPa to 12.5 GPa, and the Young's modulus increased from 100 GPa to 130 GPa. In the α-C:H:N films, N/C atomic ratio, the hardness and Young's modulus of the α-C:H:N films are, 0.087, 15 and 145 GPa, respectively. The results indicate that both higher ion energy and a small amount of N doping improve the mechanical properties of the films. The results have demonstrated that smooth and uniform α-C:H and α-C:H:N films with large area and reasonably high hardness and Young's modulus can be synthesized by EH ion source.     

The microstructure, mechanical and friction properties of protective diamond like carbon films on magnesium alloy

Protective hard coatings deposited on magnesium alloys are believed to be effective for overcoming their poor wear properties. In this work, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films as hard protective films were deposited on AZ91 magnesium alloy by arc ion plating under negative pulse bias voltages ranging from 0 to −200 V. The microstructure, composition and mechanical properties of the DLC films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nanoindentation. The tribological behavior of uncoated and coated AZ91 magnesium alloy was investigated using a ball-on-disk tribotester. The results show that the negative pulse bias voltage used for film deposition has a significant effect on the sp³ carbon content and mechanical properties of the deposited DLC films. A maximum sp³ content of 33.3% was obtained at −100 V, resulting in a high hardness of 28.6 GPa and elastic modulus of 300.0 GPa. The DLC films showed very good adhesion to the AZ91 magnesium alloy with no observable cracks and delamination even during friction testing. Compared with the uncoated AZ91 magnesium alloy, the magnesium alloy coated with DLC films exhibits a low friction coefficient and a narrow, shallow wear track. The wear resistance and surface hardness of AZ91 magnesium alloy can be significantly improved by coating a layer of DLC protective film due to its high hardness and low friction coefficient.     

脉冲偏压电弧离子镀C-N-V薄膜的成分、结构与性能

用脉冲偏压电弧离子镀方法在硬质合金基体上制备了一系列不同成分的C-N-V薄膜.用X射线光电子能谱、激光Raman光谱、 X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)和纳米压痕等方法分别研究了薄膜的成分、结构与性能.Raman光谱,XRD和TEM结果表明,所制备的薄膜为在类金刚石(DLC)非晶基体上匹配有VN晶体的碳基复合薄膜.随V和N含量的增加,薄膜硬度与弹性模量先增加后下降,在N含量为204%,V含量为218%时薄膜硬度与弹性模量具有最大值,分别为368和5697 GPa,高于相同条件下制备的 关键词： C-N-V薄膜 类金刚石薄膜 纳米复合薄膜 电弧离子镀     

脉冲偏压电弧离子镀CNx薄膜研究

用脉冲偏压电弧离子镀通过控制不同的氮流量在(100)单晶Si基片上制备了不同成分的CN_x薄膜.用光学显微镜,XPS,XRD,激光Raman和Nanoindenter等方法研究了薄膜的形貌、成分、结构和性能.结果表明,薄膜表面平整致密、氮含量随着氮流量的降低而降低、结构为非晶且为类金刚石薄膜;随着氮含量从18.9%降低到5.3%(摩尔百分比,全文同),薄膜的硬度和弹性模量单调增加而且增幅较大,其中硬度从15.0 GPa成倍增加到30.0 GPa;通过氮流量的调整能够敏感地改变薄膜中的sp³键的含量,是CN_x薄膜的硬度和弹性模量获得大幅度调整的本质原因. 关键词： x薄膜')" href="#">CN_x薄膜 脉冲偏压 电弧离子镀 硬度     

衬底温度对类金刚石薄膜力学性能的影响

 采用脉冲激光沉积方法在不同衬底温度下制备了最高硬度与弹性模量分别达45 GPa和290 GPa,且表面十分光滑的类金刚石薄膜。在相对湿度为80%的条件下,薄膜最低的摩擦系数与磨损率分别为0.045与5.74×10^-10 mm³·N^-1·m^-1。实验结果表明,硬度与弹性模量随衬底温度升高而降低,摩擦系数与磨损率随衬底温度升高而增大。拉曼光谱表明:在室温下制备的薄膜为典型类金刚石结构,sp³含量高达76.8%,而随温度升高,薄膜结构逐渐经无定形碳结构向纳米晶石墨结构方向发展,sp³含量也随之降低,力学性能变差。     

Effect of gas flow ratio on the microstructure and mechanical properties of boron phosphide films prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering

Boron phosphide films were grown on silicon substrate by radio frequency reactive magnetron sputtering using boron target and hydrogen phosphine at different gas flow ratios (PH₃/Ar) at lower temperature. The chemical composition, microstructure and mechanical properties were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrum, FTIR spectrum, surface profilometer and nano-indenter. The results indicate that the atomic ratio (P/B) rises from 1.06 up to 1.52 with the gas flow ratio increasing from 3/50 to 15/50. Simultaneously, the hardness and Young's modulus decrease from 25.4 GPa to 22.5 GPa, and 250.4 GPa to 238.4 GPa, respectively. Microstructure transforms from microcrystalline state to amorphous state along with the gas flow ratio increasing. Furthermore higher gas flow ratio leads to lower stress. The BP film prepared at the gas flow ratio of 3/50 can be contributed with the best properties.     

Nanoindentation on carbon thin films obtained from a C60 ion beam

Raman spectra, atomic force microscope (AFM) images, hardness (H) and Young's modulus (E) measurements were carried out in order to characterize carbon thin films obtained from a C₆₀ ion beam on silicon substrates at different deposition energies (from 100 up to 500 eV). The mechanical properties were studied via the nanoindentation technique. It has been observed by Raman spectroscopy and AFM that the microstructure presents significant changes for films deposited at energies close to 300 eV. However, these remarkable changes have not been noticeable on the mechanical properties: apparently H and E increase with higher deposition energy up to ∼11 and ∼116 GPa, respectively. These values are underestimated if the influence of the film roughness is not taken into account.     

Effect of air post contamination on mechanical properties of amorphous carbon nitride thin films

We report in this study the mechanical, structural and compositional characteristics of amorphous carbon nitride films (a-CN_x) deposited on Si(100) using RF magnetron sputtering of graphite targets in pure nitrogen and under different RF powers. The properties of the films were determined in their as deposited state using nuclear reaction analysis (NRA), elastic recoil detection (ERDA), infrared (IR) absorption and Raman spectroscopy. The mechanical properties were obtained combining nanoindentation and residual stress measurements. The presence of various types of C-N bonds, as well as the post-deposition contamination of the deposited films by oxygen and water (voids) is revealed. The measured hardness and Young modulus were 0.9-2.03 and 23-27 GPa, respectively. These results have been analysed in term of the matrix flexibility which results from the nitrogen content and the porous character of the films, which can affect deeply the estimation of the physical-mechanical properties of the films.     

Mechanical properties of Al/a-C nanocomposite thin films synthesized using a plasma focus device

The Al/a-C nanocomposite thin films are synthesized on Si substrates using a dense plasma focus device with alu- minum fitted anode and operating with CH4/Ar admixture. X-ray diffractometer results confirm the formation of metallic crystalline Al phases using different numbers of focus shots. Raman analyses show the formation of D and G peaks for all thin film samples, confirming the presence of a-C in the nanocomposite thin films. The formation of Al/a-C nanocomposite thin films is further confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The scanning electron microscope results show that the deposited thin films consist of nanoparticles and their agglomerates. The sizes of th agglomerates increase with increasing numbers of focus deposition shots. The nanoindentation results show the variations in hardness and elastic modulus values of nanocomposite thin film with increasing the number of focus shots. Maximum values of hardness and elastic modulus of the composite thin film prepared using 20 focus shots are found to be about 10.7 GPa and 189.2 GPa, respectively.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of selective laser melted magnesium

The effects of laser processing parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of selective laser-melted magnesium were investigated. The results show that the microstructure characteristics of the laser-melted samples are dependent on the grain size of SLM magnesium. The grains in the molten zone coarsen as the laser energy density increases. In addition, the average hardness values of the molten zone decreases significantly with an increase of the laser energy densities and then decreased slowly at a relatively high laser energy density irrespective of mode of irradiation. The hardness value was obtained from 0.59 to 0.95 GPa and corresponding elastic modulus ranging from 27 to 33 GPa. The present selective laser-melted magnesium parts are promising for biomedical applications since the mechanical properties are more closely matched with human bone than other metallic biomaterials.     

Pressure‐induced incompressibility and point singularity of mechanical properties of TaC in NiAs‐type structure

The structural and elastic properties of TaC in NiAs‐type structure under high pressure have been investigated using first principles calculations based on density functional theory. Results indicate that the incompressibility along the c‐axis of TaC exceeds that of diamond under higher pressure. Particularly, an interesting point singularity exists in its mechanical properties as the pressure increases from 20 GPa to 40 GPa. The minimal shear modulus, Young's modulus, Debye temperature, and maximum Poisson ratio of TaC are simultaneously obtained at 28 GPa. The calculations of hardness indicate that the NiAs‐type TaC crystal possesses excellent mechanical properties. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

High‐pressure Brillouin study of the elastic properties of rare‐gas solid xenon at pressures up to 45 GPa

The pressure dependences of three adiabatic elastic constants, adiabatic bulk modulus, refractive index, and elastic anisotropy, as well as Cauchy deviation of fcc solid Xe have been determined up to 10 GPa at 296 K by high‐pressure Brillouin scattering spectroscopy. The characteristics of elastic properties at high pressure of rare‐gas solid Xe are investigated by comparison with the previous studies on Ne, Ar, and Kr. Above 10 GPa, the occurrence of splitting in the Brillouin signals and the direction dependence of acoustic velocities for solid Xe clearly show partial phase transformation to the hcp structure reported by the previous X‐ray diffraction and Raman scattering studies. The shear elastic modulus in the hcp phase of solid Xe has also been estimated at pressures up to 45 GPa by using the pressure dependence of the Raman wavenumber shift for the E_2g mode. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Chromium on Structure and Tribological Properties of Hydrogenated Cr/a-C:H Films Prepared via a Reactive Magnetron Sputtering System

Hydrogenated Cr-incorporated carbon films(Cr/a-C:H) are deposited successfully by using a dc reactive magnetron sputtering system.The structure and mechanical properties of the as-deposited Cr/a-C:H films are characterized systematically by field-emission scanning electron microscope,x-ray diffraction,Raman spectra,nanoindentation and scratch.It is shown that optimal Cr metal forms nanocrystalline carbide to improve the hardness,toughness and adhesion strength in the amorphous carbon matrix,which possesses relatively higher nano-hardness of 15.7GPa,elastic modulus of 126.8 GPa and best adhesion strength with critical load(L_c) of36 N for the Cr/a-C:H film deposited at CH_4 flow rate of 20 sccm.The friction and wear behaviors of as-deposited Cr/a-C:H films are evaluated under both the ambient air and deionized water conditions.The results reveal that it can achieve superior low friction and anti-wear performance for the Cr/a-C:H film deposited at CH_4 flow rate of 20 sccm under the ambient air condition,and the friction coefficient and wear rate tested in deionized water condition are relatively lower compared with those tested under the ambient air condition for each film.Superior combination of mechanical and tribological properties for the Cr/a-C:H film should be a good candidate for engineering applications.     

Mechanical,electronic and thermodynamic properties of TE-C36 under high pressure

The structural parameters, mechanical, electronic and thermodynamic properties of TE-C36 under high pressure were calculated via the density functional theory in combination with the quasi-harmonic Debye model. The results show that the pressure has significant effects on the equilibrium structure parameters, mechanical, electronic and thermodynamic properties of TE-C36. The obtained ground state structural parameters are in good agreement with previous theoretical results. The mechanically and dynamically stable under pressure were confirmed by the calculated elastic constants and phonon dispersion spectra. The elastic constants, elastic modulus, B/G ratio, Poisson’s ratio and Vicker’s hardness were determined in the pressure range of 0–100?GPa. The elastic anisotropy of TE-C36 under pressure are also determined in detail. The electronic structure calculations reveal that TE-C36 remains a direct band gap semiconductor when the pressure changes from 0 to 100?GPa, and the band gap decreases with increasing pressure. Furthermore, the pressure and temperature dependence of thermal expansion coefficient, heat capacity and Debye temperature are predicted in a wide pressure (0–90?GPa) and temperature (0–2500?K) ranges. The obtained results are expected to provide helpful guidance for the future synthesis and application of TE-C36.     

Nanoindentation measurements on modified diamond-like carbon thin films

In the present study, we explored the effect of metallic interlayers (Cu and Ti) and indentation loads (5-20 mN) on the mechanical properties of plasma produced diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films. Also a comparison has been made for mechanical properties of these films with pure DLC and nitrogen incorporated DLC films. Introduction of N in DLC led to a drastic decrease in residual stress (S) from 1.8 to 0.7 GPa, but with expenses of hardness (H) and other mechanical properties. In contrast, addition of Cu and Ti interlayers between substrate Si and DLC, results in significant decrease in S with little enhancement of hardness and other mechanical properties. Among various DLC films, maximum hardness 30.8 GPa is observed in Ti-DLC film. Besides hardness and elastic modulus, various other mechanical parameters have also been estimated using load versus displacement curves.     

Structure and properties of Ti-B-N,Ti-Cr-B-(N), and Cr-B-(N) coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering of targets prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

Transmission and scanning electron microscopy, x-ray phase analysis, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic-force microscopy were used to study the structure and surface topography of Ti-B-N, Ti-Cr-B-(N), and Cr-B-(N) thin films. Physical, mechanical, and tribological characteristics of coatings were comparatively analyzed, including determination of the hardness, elastic modulus, elastic recovery, critical load, friction coefficient, and wear rate. It was shown that Ti-B-N and Ti-Cr-B-N coatings are superior to conventional TiN-and Ti-C-N-based coatings in terms of their physicomechanical and tribological properties. Ti-B-N and Ti-Cr-B-N coatings deposited under optimum conditions were characterized, accordingly, by a hardness of 31–34 and 40–47 GPa, an average elastic modulus of 378 and 506 GPa, a friction coefficient of 0.49–0.60 and 0.45–0.52, a dry-wear rate of (3.4–4.6) × 10^?7 and (6.0–6.8) × 10^?7 mm³ N^?1 m^?1, and a largest critical load of 50 and 22 N. Features in the determination of the physicomechanical properties of films during nanoindentation and their wear properties are discussed.     

Superhard Nb-Si-N composite films synthesized by reactive magnetron sputtering

By means of the reactive magnetron sputtering method, a series of Nb-Si-N composite films with different Si contents were deposited in an Ar, N₂ and SiH₄ mixture atmosphere. These films’ chemical composition, phase formation, microstructure and mechanical properties were characterized by the energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microcopy, atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation. The experimental results showed that the silicon content in the Nb-Si-N composite films can be conveniently controlled by adjusting the SiH₄ partial pressure in mixed gas. The hardness and elastic modulus of the Nb-Si-N films were remarkably increased with a small amount of silicon addition and reached their maximum values of 53 and 521 GPa, respectively, at 3.4 at.% Si. Such an obvious enhancement of mechanical properties is related to the increment of crystal defects in the Nb-Si-N films. With silicon content increasing in the films further, the mechanical properties decreased gradually to somewhat a bit lower than those of the NbN film.