Structure and Properties of Nano- and Microcomposite Coating Based on Ti-Si-N/WC-Co-Cr

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. An X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the coating has the following phase composition: TiN, (Ti,Si)N solid solution, WC, $W_2C$ tungsten carbides. An element analysis was performed using energy dispersive spectroscopy (microanalysis) and scanning electron microscopy, as well as the Rutherford backscattering of $\text{}^4He^{+}$ ion and the Auger electron spectroscopy. Surface morphology and structure were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and scanning tunnel microscopy. Tests friction and resistance (cylinder-plane) demonstrated essential resistance to abrasive wear and corrosion in the solution. The decrease of grain dimensions ≤ 10 nm occurring in the top Ti-Si-N coating layer increased the sample hardness to 42 ± 2.7 GPa under $Ti_{72}-Si_8-N_{20}$ at.% concentration.