Multilayer Coatings Based on Nitrides of High-Entropy Alloys
- Reference number
- UKR22-0031
- Project leader
- Rogoz, Vladyslav
- Start and end dates
- 220801-240731
- Amount granted
- 1 000 000 SEK
- Administrative organization
- Linköping University
- Research area
- Materials Science and Technology
Summary
The project deals with studying the microstructure, phase state, mechanical and tribological properties of the single-layer nanostructured coatings based on high-entropy alloys (HEAs) and multilayer ones formed by sequentially alternating layers of HEA nitride with tungsten disulfide under different deposition parameters by magnetron sputtering with the use of metal ion irradiation from HiPIMS sources. Nanostructured nitride coatings are widely used in industry and medicine as a critical element for the protection of the metal components of cars and aircraft, cutting tools, and medical implants. Protective coatings can increase the lifetime of details and tools made from metals and alloys, thereby reducing the depreciation expense. However, the environmental aspect is equally important, as the use of cooling liquids and lubricants in the industry has a negative impact on the environment. To diminish the use of lubricants, we plan to design coating systems with a multilayer structure formed by alternating WS2, which acts as a soft lubricating layer to give better performance in terms of friction, and hard wear-resistant nitrides based on high-entropy alloys. Elemental compositions of coatings (HEAs and HEA nitrides), which are expected to have superior physical-mechanical characteristics, have been chosen using the algorithms of machine learning based on the databases of previous studies.
Popular science description
The project deals with studying the microstructure, phase state, mechanical and tribological properties of the single-layer nanostructured coatings based on high-entropy alloys (HEAs) and multilayer ones formed by sequentially alternating layers of HEA nitride with tungsten disulfide under different deposition parameters by magnetron sputtering with the use of metal ion irradiation from HiPIMS sources. The chosen topic is currently of great research interest in materials science that is confirmed by the large number of scientific works, which is continuously increasing. Nanostructured nitride coatings are widely used in industry and medicine as a critical element for the protection of the metal components of cars and aircraft, cutting tools, and medical implants. They allow improving mechanical performance and high-temperature stability of materials that are utilized in extreme conditions. Thus, protective coatings can increase the lifetime of details and tools made from metals and alloys, thereby reducing the depreciation expense. However, the environmental aspect is equally important, as the use of cooling liquids and lubricants in the industry has a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, previous studies indicate that nanostructured nitride HEA coatings are perspective materials with an appealing combination of high resistance to radiation and wear, excellent physical-mechanical and tribological properties, as well as high-temperature stability. To diminish the use of lubricants, we plan to design coating systems with a multilayer structure formed by alternating WS2, which acts as a soft lubricating layer to give better performance in terms of friction, and hard wear-resistant nitrides based on high-entropy alloys. Elemental compositions of coatings (HEAs and HEA nitrides), which are expected to have superior physical-mechanical characteristics, have been chosen using the algorithms of machine learning based on the databases of previous studies. Thus, based on the in-depth analysis, the following coating systems were selected for the deposition and further comprehensive investigation: (TiNbMoTaW)N and (TiNbMoTaW)N/WS2.