Microstructure of CrAlSiN+DLC Coating Deposited onto Hot Work Tool Steel

What is it about?

The work presents the results on the microstructure of CrAlSiN+DLC coating deposited onto X40CrMoV5-1 hot work tool steel. The films were produced using a two-step method. In the first phase the physical vapour deposition (PVD) method was applied, whereas in the second Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) method was used. The microstructure and morphology of the CrAlSiN+DLC coating were analyzed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) respectively.

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Why is it important?

It was found that tested coatings have nanostructural character with fine crystallites, while their average size is between 11-25 nm. The TEM investigation showed a sharp interface between the coting and steel substrate. The AFM studies showed that the topography of the CrAlSiN and DLC layers were similar on the macroscopic scale