The Study On Multi-arc Ion Plating Nc-MeN/α-Cu Superhard Nanocomposite Films

The nitriding of38CrMoAl steel with good toughness, wear resistance and certain hardness, is the most common components of steel, widely used in the automotive, aerospace and other industries. However, with the rapid development of industrial technology, more and more working conditions show that38CrMoAl steel by simple nitriding treatment can not fully meet the industrial requirements, so it needs a modification on its surface. Nitride/soft phase nanocomposite thin films as the latest superhard film have good hardness, toughness and good wear resistance. With the funded of AVIC research joint research project "Study on the surface modification of38CrMoAl steel" in the paper, the surface modification to the nitriding of38CrMoAl steel was carried out by using the nitride of nc-MeN/a-Cu and soft phase nanocomposite thin films, to be able to meet the project’s performance requirements, and the hardening mechanism of such films are discussed.Firstly, a range of different the Cu content nc-TiN/a-Cu films were prepared on the nitriding of38CrMoAl substrate by plasma-enhanced pulsed bias arc ion plating technology in this paper, then analyzed the properties of films. The results show that the six groups of nc-TiN/α-Cu films with about0.8μm thickness are compact and smooth, and the phase structure is formed by the nanocrystalline of TiN and amorphous Cu. With the increase of the content of Cu, the hardness first increased and then decreased, the hardness of the film reached to44GPa with the content of Cu for1.28at.%, and the adhesion strength can be achieved70N with good wear resistance, and the coefficient of friction is comparable to the pure TiN film, the film hardness and wear resistance can meet the performance requirements of the component, then the hardness of films were discussed.Secondly, to broaden the choice of the surface modified membrane system with the nitriding of38CrMoAl substrate, a range of different the Cu content nc-CrN/a-Cu films were deposited in the experiment, and the properties of the films were analyzed. The results show that the five groups of nc-TiN/a-Cu films with about0.6μm thickness are compact and smooth, and the phase composition is CrN phase and crystal Cu phase, the films have lower hardness and considerable the hardness of CrN. However, the film with the content of Cu for1.57at.%is composed of CrN phase and amorphous Cu phase, and the peak of CrN (111) diffraction occurred significantly offset, the hardness of film is higher, reached to26GPa, but the hardness requirements of components required have not been met. Finally, the reasons for the low film hardness were analyzed.