Effect of Carbon on the Structure and Mechanical and Tribological Properties of AlCrCN Coatings

Research into the influence of the carbon content in AlCrCN coatings on their phase composition and structure were carried out. A carbon solid solution was found to form in coatings when deposited by the cathodic-arc method in the acetylene gas atmosphere. The formation of the coatings having the B1-type phase structure and the [200] texture axis provided a level of their hardness at 3300 HK. The formation of a tribolayer consisting of oxides of the particles of both the coating and the counterbody was studied, leading to a friction coefficient of 0.6, without using a lubricant. The coating showed an almost twofold increase in adhesion to a Kh12MF die steel base material, and the carbon-containing coating showed an increase in crack resistance as compared to the AlCrN coating.