Deposition, properties and applications of PVD CrxN coatings

The deposition, properties and application of PVD CrxN coatings have been discussed increasingly in recent years. One reason for this are the environmental problems associated with the use of electroplated chromium and the resulting need for a replacement of the production method. Another reason for a discussion of PVD CrxN is that the field of application of PVD TiN coatings seems to be examined up to the point were coating properties are difficult to improve by processing parameters. CrxN is one answer to these two demands, showing similar mechanical properties to TiN and a good corrosion resistance. The following paper presents the engineering of functional properties of PVD CrxN coatings performed at the Darmstadt University of Technology in the last decade. Boundary conditions of deposition by PVD r.f-magnetron sputtering as well as characteristic physical and mechanical properites are presented, followed by selected tribological applications. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.