Influence of temperature on the tribological properties of heterostructure [Al2O3/Si3N4]n

[Al 2 O 3 /Si 3 N 4 ] Multilayer coatings have been implemented as a protective coating on various engineering devices. Current research evidenced their optimum tribological properties. But these investigations are carried out at room temperature. Therefore, this research analyzes the wear rate of the [Al 2 O 3 /Si 3 N 4 ] heterostructure subjected to tribological test at varying temperature. The results showed that by increasing the temperature inside the chamber (up to 350°C), tribo-mechanical and thermo-mechanical loads increase. Increasing the wear rate for substrate (316 stainless steel) by 41.82 %. For the steel coated with [Al 2 O 3 /Si 3 N 4 ]n; n= 30 bilayer. An increase of the wear rate by 37.12 % was obtained. In this research the wear and wear mechanism are detailed by means of techniques such as SEM, EDX and profilometry. This allowed to identify that by increasing the bilayers number in the heterostructure, a better coating is obtained to be implemented as a protective coating. • Analysis of the increase in wear rate as a function of temperature. • Evaluation of width and depth increase and wear track by profilometry • Temperature influence on the friction coefficient of coatings.