Influence of Interlayer Materials on the Mechanical Properties and Thermal Stability of a CrAlN Coating on a Tungsten Carbide Substrate

CrAlN coatings have earned significant attention for use in cutting tool coating applications due to their excellent properties such as high hardness and superb oxidation resistance. It is well known that the interlayer between substrate can influence mechanical of coatings. In this work, three interlayers—CrN, CrZrN, CrN/CrZrSiN—were synthesized a tungsten carbide improve thermal stability coating. All with respective interlayers showed values range 34.5 35.1 GPa, they were not significantly affected by type. However, wear scratch tests CrN CrN/CrZrSiN exhibited an improved friction coefficient 0.33 adhesion strength (Lc2) 69 N compared CrZrN interlayer. These attributed H/E ratio substrate, CrZrSiN effectively induced smooth transition stress under loading condition. During tests, was maintained up 1000 °C resistance layer, which contained amorphous SixNy phase.