Nanocrystalline (AlTiVCr)N Multi-Component Nitride Thin Films with Superior Mechanical Performance

作者：Feng, Chuangshi; Feng, Xiaobin; Guan, Zhou; Song, Hongquan; Wang, Tianli; Liao, Weibing^*; Lu, Yang^*; Zhang, Fuxiang^*

来源：Nanomaterials, 2022, 12(15): 2722.

DOI：10.3390/nano12152722

• multi-component alloy
• nitride thin film
• nanocrystalline
• in situ compressive test

Multi-component nitride thin films usually show high hardness and good wear resistance due to the nanoscale structure and solid-solution strengthening effect. However, the state of N atoms in the thin film and its effects on the compressive strength is still unclear. In this work, (AlTiVCr)N multi-component nitride thin films with a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure prepared by the direct current magnetron sputtering method exhibit a superior strength of similar to 4.5 GPa and final fracture at a strain of similar to 5.0%. The excellent mechanical properties are attributed to the synergistic effects of the nanocrystalline structure, covalent bonding between N and metal atoms, and interstitial strengthening. Our results could provide an intensive understanding of the relationship between microstructure and mechanical performances for multi-component nitride thin films, which may promote their applications in micro- and nano-devices.

• 单位
  武汉理工大学; y