Microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of Ta(C, N) coatings deposited on TA15 substrates with different nitrogen partial pressure

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain the optimal N₂/Ar ratio parameters for preparing Ta (C, N) coating. Three coatings with different N₂/Ar ratios were prepared on the TA15 substrate, and their effects on the wear properties of the coatings were discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

Ta(C, N) coatings with three different N₂/Ar ratios were prepared on TA15 substrates using the double cathode glow metallurgical plasma alloying technique (DGMPA) using a step-by-step diffusion method.

Findings

With the increase of N₂/Ar flow ratio, the hardness and elastic modulus of the coating first increase and then decrease. Compared with the S1 sample (N₂/Ar gas ratio 25: 75) and the S3 sample (N₂/Ar gas ratio 75: 25), the S2 sample (N₂/Ar gas ratio 50: 50) has better mechanical properties, with hardness increased by 48.45% and 6.8%, respectively, and elastic strain ratio increased by 22.8% and 28.5%, respectively. Moreover, the wear degree of the S2 sample is less than other samples. The wear rate of the S2 sample was 32.4% lower than the S3 sample at 300°C and 14.3% lower than the S3 sample at 500°C. Therefore, the S2 sample has the best mechanical properties and the best high temperature wear resistance.

Originality/value

Ta(C, N) coatings were prepared by DGMPA technology, and the wear mechanism of Ta(C, N) coatings with different N₂/Ar ratios was investigated to reduce the wear rate.

Citation

Ma, Y., Miao, Q., Liang, W., Yu, H., Yin, M., Zang, K., Pang, X. and Wang, X. (2023), "Microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of Ta(C, N) coatings deposited on TA15 substrates with different nitrogen partial pressure", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 75 No. 1, pp. 110-117. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-08-2022-0245