Investigation of high temperature wear resistance of TiCrAlCN/TiAlN multilayer coatings over M2 steel

In this study, TiCrAlCN/TiAlN multilayer coatings were deposited on M2 high speed steel substrates by the Closed-Field Unbalanced Magnetron Sputtering system. The chemical composition, microstructure, morphology, mechanical and high temperature wear resistance properties of the coatings were characterized, analyzed and compared to the substrate. The high temperature wear tests were carried out under a load of 2 N at the lap (wear test distance) of 50 m and in dry sliding condition at Room Temperature (RT), 150, 300, 450, and 600 °C on atmospheric conditions. It has been found that the TiCrAlCN/TiAlN multilayer coatings have a higher wear resistance than the M2 substrate. The stable friction behavior and low friction tendency was determined at 600 °C. When the test temperature increased, the wear rates decreased. Narrow and smooth wear tracks and also the lowest wear rate were obtained at 600 °C.