This study employed arc ion plating technology to deposit CrAlN/CrN coatings on stainless steel substrates, adjusting deposition pressures ranging from 1.0 Pa to 4.0 Pa. A detailed analysis of the coatings’ microstructure, wear, and corrosion features was performed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, tribometers, profilometers, and electrochemical workstations. The study revealed that the crystalline structure of the CrAlN/CrN coatings primarily consists of cubic crystals of AlN, (Cr, Al)N, and CrN. Diffraction peak intensity analysis revealed preferential orientation in the CrAlN coatings along the (111) and (200) crystal planes. As the pressure increased to 3.0 Pa, the content of Al elements peaked, and the columnar structure became denser; at this point, the H/E* ratio reached a maximum of 0.079, indicating excellent delamination and fracture resistance of the CrAlN/CrN coating at this pressure. Tests in artificial seawater environments showed that with the increase in nitrogen pressure, the friction coefficient gradually decreased, reaching its lowest at 3 Pa, approximately 0.19. The wear rate trend aligned with the friction coefficient, recorded at a mere 2.20 × 10⁻⁷ mm³/Nm. Electrochemical polarization curve tests revealed that at 3 Pa pressure, the CrAlN/CrN coating had a corrosion potential of −0.04 V, a polarization resistance of 9.28 × 10⁵ Ω·cm², and a very low corrosion current of 4.81 × 10⁻⁸ A/cm², demonstrating excellent corrosion resistance.

In this study, CrYN coatings were prepared using multi-arc ion plating at various substrate bias voltages (−50 V, −100 V, −150 V, and −200 V). X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the composition and microstructure of the coatings. An electrochemical workstation and a ball-on-disk tribometer were used to investigate their corrosion and friction behavior. The results show that grain refinement can be achieved through the addition of yttrium (Y) and that the surfaces of coatings prepared under different bias voltages have varying smoothness and compactness. It was shown that surfaces prepared under −100 V bias voltages were relatively smooth and dense in structure, corresponding to a Y content of 2.83 at.%; CrYN coatings at −100 V were shown to have the highest corrosion potential and a low self-corrosion current, equating to superior corrosion resistance. Additionally, the friction coefficients of deposited CrYN coatings under bias voltages of −100 V were less than 0.2. Therefore, the coatings under bias voltages of −100 V had the minimum wear rate due to its structure, corrosion resistance, and friction.

CrN, CrTiN, and CrTiBN coatings were deposited onto 316 stainless steel substrates using multi-arc ion plating techniques. Their morphology, microstructures, friction performance, and corrosion resistance in simulated seawater were systematically characterized. After being analyzed with X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, the results revealed that CrN coatings had a primary face-centered cubic CrN structure. Following the addition of Ti and B elements, CrTiBN coatings exhibited a cross-sectional structure with hexagonal TiB₂ and amorphous BN, displaying the most compact structure. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests indicated that CrTiBN coatings had the highest polarization resistance, the highest phase angle, and the widest frequency range. During electrochemical polarization curve tests, CrTiBN coatings displayed a corrosion potential of 0.11 V, a polarization resistance of 2470 kΩ·cm², and a minimal corrosion current of 1.94 × 10⁻⁸ A/cm², demonstrating outstanding corrosion resistance. The results from the friction tests indicated that CrTiBN coatings exhibited the lowest friction coefficients of 0.16 and wear rates of 8.18 × 10⁻⁷ mm³/Nm. Insights gained from electrochemical friction–corrosion tests revealed that CrTiBN coatings maintained the highest Open Circuit Potential (OCP) throughout the corrosion and friction process. In summary, the introduction of Ti and B has clearly enhanced the friction and corrosion resistance properties of CrTiBN coatings in comparison to CrN coatings.