PROPERTIES OF CHROMIUM NITRIDE COATINGS DEPOSITED BY CATHODIC ARC EVAPORATION

CrN coatings deposited at 200-230-degrees-C (low temperature) and 480-540-degrees-C (high temperature) onto high speed steel were investigated by determining the microhardness, surface roughness and adhesion, as well as using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. It was found that the coatings deposited at lower temperatures exhibit higher hardnesses than those produced at higher deposition temperatures. Both coatings exhibit good adhesion and a dense structure morphology. Bulk X-ray diffraction studies show that, in both cases, the prevalent crystallographic orientation is [220].