Wear and Corrosion Resistance of CrN-based Coatings Deposited by R.F Magnetron Sputtering

A comparative study was conducted to evaluate the performances against wear and corrosion of CrN, CrMoN, CrZrN, CrVN single layer thin films. The latest are synthesized onto steel substrates (DIN 90CrMoV8), using R.F reactive magnetron co-sputtering. The experimental work was achieved using ball-on-disc configuration in dry conditions against WC balls. The main conclusions are: (i) electrochemical tests in 0.3 wt.% NaCl solution indicated that CrZrN are improved anticorrosion performance when compared to CrN, while CrMoN demonstrated a poor corrosion resistance;(ii) the CrN coating presents the better tribological properties when compared to the ternary nitride coatings.