Comparison of the Wear and Friction Properties of Titanium Nitride-Based Coatings

Abstract

This paper describes the wear and friction behavior of titanium nitride (TiN)-based coatings produced via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in detail. Coatings composed of TiN, titanium carbide (TiC) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) layers were applied to a tungsten carbide-cobalt composite and steel substrates. The elemental and phase compositions of these coatings, manufactured with varying deposition parameters and layer thicknesses, were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The mechanical properties of the coatings were evaluated through Vickers microhardness testing, lubricant-free tribological model tests and scratch testing. For the linearly alternating tribological tests, a static counterpart made of yttria-stabilized zirconium oxide was utilized. The wear, friction and adhesive properties of the coatings were studied, revealing significant differences in tribological behavior based on their hardness, crystal structure and surface roughness. The tribological tests highlighted that coatings with sharp, spherical crystal structures on their surfaces exhibited the greatest resistance to abrasive and frictional stresses. The durability of the surface coatings was found to be primarily dependent on their adhesion and surface roughness.