The objective of this study was to explore the mechanical properties of AlCrSiN and AlTiSiN coatings deposited on Inconel and steel substrates after thermal treatments of 500 °C and 800 °C. Nanoindentation was used to measure the hardness and elastic modulus of the coatings, and microindentation was used for observing the contact damage with Hertzian contact loadings. Microscratch and Mercedes tests were used to evaluate the adhesive strength between coating and substrate with both progressive and static loads, respectively. The surface damage was inspected by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Focus ion beams (FIB) were used to mill the cross-sections in order to detect the extent and mode of failure. The results show that AlCrSiN coatings and Inconel substrates exhibit better mechanical performance, even after thermal treatments.

The objective of this study is to explore and compare the mechanical response of AlCrSiN coatings deposited on two different substrates, namely, WC-Co and cBN. Nano-indentation was used to measure the hardness and elastic modulus of the coatings, and micro-indentation was used for observing the contact damage under Hertzian contact with monotonic and cyclic (fatigue) loads. Microscratch and contact damage tests were also used to evaluate the strength of adhesion between the AlCrSiN coatings and the two substrates under progressive and constant loads, respectively. The surface damages induced via different mechanical tests were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A focused ion beam (FIB) was used to produce a cross-section of the coating–substrate system in order to further detect the mode and extent of failure that was induced. The results show that the AlCrSiN coating deposited on the WC-Co substrate performed better in regard to adhesion strength and contact damage response than the same coating deposited on the cBN substrate; this is attributed to the lower plasticity of the cBN substrate as well as its less powerful adhesion to the coating.

This study explores the impact of Zr and Ta ion implantation on the mechanical performance of an AlCrSiN quaternary coating deposited on a WC-Co cermet substrate. Nanoindentation tests revealed a decrease in hardness and elastic modulus after ion implantation, compared to unimplanted coatings. Moreover, microscratch and contact damage tests demonstrated improved adhesion and reduced surface damage for ion-implanted samples, with Ta implantation exhibiting the best performance. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and focused ion beam (FIB) cross-sectional analysis confirmed less severe damage in ion-implanted samples compared to unimplanted ones. These findings suggest that Zr/Ta ion implantation enhances the structural integrity and adhesion of AlCrSiN coatings under loading conditions commonly encountered in practical applications, despite a moderate reduction in intrinsic hardness and elastic modulus.