MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF AMORPHOUS TA100-XCRX THIN-FILMS

The mechanical properties-hardness, Young's modulus and wear resistanc e-of thin, amorphous films of Ta100-xCrx were studied by nano-indentat ion and micro-abrasive wear tests. The films, deposited with two indep endent magnetrons, had thicknesses between 1.8 and 2.2 mu m. With comp ositions varied in small steps from x = 28 to x = 66, no influence on the mechanical properties of chemical short-range order, which might b e expected close to compositions where crystalline compounds form, was observed. The correlation between microscale wear resistance and inde ntation hardness is discussed for these alloys as well as for TiAl met allic glasses. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.