Structure and properties of nano- and microcomposite coating based on Ti–Si–N/WC–Co–Cr

Abstract

Using the two technologies: plasma-detonation and vacuum-arc deposition, we fabricated two types of coatings: Ti–Si–N/WC–Co–Cr/steel and Ti–Si–N/steel. We found that the top coating of Ti–Si–N was nanostructured one with 12 to 15 nm grain sizes and H = 40 to 38 GPa hardness. A thick coating which was deposited using the pulsed plasma jet, demonstrated 11 to 15.3 GPa hardness, an elastic modulus (E) changing within 176 to 240 GPa, and tungsten carbide grain dimensions varying from 150 to 350 nm to several microns