Friction and Wear of Cr-O-N Coatings Characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy

Cr-O-N coatings with different oxygen concentration were deposited using vacuum arc plasma fluxes on steel substrates. The coatings were investigated using atomic force microscopy under ambient temperature and humidity controlled conditions. The surface structure, friction and wear were investigated. The results indicate that coefficient of friction and friction force of Cr-O(50)-N coating consisted of Cr2O3 phase tested in a sliding regime are the lowest compared to other Cr-O-N coatings characterized by cubic CrN phase. In the ploughing regime the Cr-O(20)-N coating is characterized by the lowest coefficient of friction of and the wear rate.