Microstructural and tribological characterization of duplex coatings with additional ion bombardment

Abstract

A duplex surface treatment involves the sequential application of two surface technologies to produce a surface composition with combined properties. A typical duplex process involves plasma nitriding and the PVD coating treatment of steels. This paper presents characteristics of hard coatings, type TiN, produced by classic technology PVD (physical vapour deposition) and IBAD (ion beam assisted deposition). Subsequent ion implantation was provided with N 5+ ions. The dependence of friction coefficient was investigated by means of tribometer (pin-on-ring). The sliding pair was TiN thin coating on steel pin combined with steel ring without coating. The ring was produced from hardenable steel.