A cylinder-on-plate line-contact reciprocated sliding testing machine
and a tension-compression testing machine were used to compare the wea
r, tension and fatigue performance of the specimens with Ti-base and C
r-base coatings grown by physical vapor deposition process. The fractu
re mechanisms were examined utilizing a scanning electron microscope.
The experimental results are as follows: The Cr-base coatings possesse
d far better wear resistance than the Ti-base coatings. The applicatio
n of surface films did not affect the Young's modulus and yield points
but did little decrease the fracture strains. For fatigue, the applic
ation of the surface coatings improved the endurance limit by 20-40 MP
a. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.