Orientation dependence of the fracture mechanisms in (V,Al)N coatings determined by micropillar compression

Abstract Transition metal aluminium nitrides produced by physical vapour deposition are widely used as hard, protective coatings in the manufacturing industries. To optimise wear resistance while maintaining fracture toughness, an understanding of mechanisms linking microstructure and orientation-dependent behaviour is required. (V,Al)N were synthesised direct current high power pulsed magnetron sputtering. Uniaxial compression testing was performed using micropillars oriented between 0° 90° with respect to growth direction assess effect on behaviour. We show here that different active depending alignment grains loading direction. The could be divided into three classes associated column buckling, decohesion or shearing no significant difference specimens induced process observed. Graphical abstract