Preparation and fretting wear behavior of ion-beam-enhanced-deposition CrNfilms

Hard chromium nitride films were deposited by ion-beam-enhanced-deposition (IBED) technique. The effects of ion beam energy and ion beam current on mi crostructure and mechanical properties of TEED CrN films were studied, and the optimized parameters were found to prepare the films to improve the fre tting wear resistance of Ti-6Al-4V. The fretting wear behavior of the IBED CrN film was evaluated using a ball-on-flat system under unlubricated condi tions, and the results were compared with those of PVD CrN films. Results s howed that both the bombardment energy and ion beam current had significant effects on the microstructure, preferred orientation, hardness and adhesio n strength of the IBED CrN thin films. The Fretting wear resistance of IBED CrN films was better than those of PVD CrN films due to a dense and fine m icrostructure, good adhesion strength, deep hardening depth, etc. Fretting parameters (normal load and amplitude) played an important role in the tran sition of the fretting regime (from partial slip to gross slip regime). Oxi dation and abrasive wear were the main fretting wear mechanisms for IBED Cr N film. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.