The Adhesion of TiN Coatings on Plasma-nitrided Steel

이온 질화층이 TiN 박막의 밀착성에 미치는 영향

In PECVD(Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition) process, titanium nitride is thin and its adhesion is poor for the protective coatings. Therefore it has been studied that intermediate layer forms between substrate and TiN thin film. Using R.F. plasma nitriding, nitride layer was first formed, then TiN thin film coated by PECVD. The chemical composition of the coatings has been characterized using AES, EDS and their crystallographic structure by means of XRD. Mechanical properties such as microhardness and film adhesion have also been determined by vickers hardness test, scratch test and indentation test. As a result, there was no difference in chemical composition and structure between the TiN deposition only and the composite of TiN deposition on nitrided steel. It was found that nitrided substrate increased the hardness of TiN coatings and was beneficial in preventing the plastic deformation in the substrate. Therefore the effective load bearing capacity of the TiN coatings on nitrided steel was increased and their adhesion was improved as well. According to the results of this study, the processes that lead to the formation of composite layers characterized by good working properties, i.e., high microhardness, adhesion and resistance to deformation.