Overview of Cr₂N And Cr₂N/Ag Coatings On Cr-V Ledeburitic Steel: Mechanical Properties and Adhesion

Samples made from Vanadis 6 PM ledeburitic tool steel were surface machined, ground and mirror polished. Prior the deposition, they were heat treated to a hardness of 60 HRC. Cr₂N- and Cr₂N/Ag-coatings were deposited by magnetron sputtering technique, using pure Cr and Ag targets, in a composite low pressure nitrogen/argon atmosphere and at a temperature of 500 °C. The contents of silver in Cr₂N/Ag coatings were established 3, 7, 11 and 15 wt. %. Incorporation of silver in the Cr₂N-matrix influence the growth rate, namely from the content of 11 wt. %. The nanohardness and Young´s modulus do not change until the content of 11 wt. % where slightly increased but further increasing of silver led to decreasing these values rapidly. The best adhesion was established for coatings with 3 and 7 wt. % of silver.