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<p>CrN monolayer films and a series of Cr/CrN multilayer coatings with a modulation ratio of 1 and various modulation periods (Λ) were fabricated using non-equilibrium magnetron sputtering. The microstructure, mechanical properties, lubricated tribological behavior, and corrosion resistance in 3.5&#xa0;wt% NaCl solution were systematically investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, laser confocal microscopy, nanoindentation, tribometer testing, and electrochemical measurements. The Cr/CrN multilayers consisted of face-centered cubic (fcc) CrN and body-centered cubic (bcc) Cr. A coherent interface between fcc-CrN(200) and bcc-Cr(110) was observed when Λ ranged from 8 to 20&#xa0;nm. Benefiting from the multilayer-induced inhibition of continuous columnar growth and the consequent grain refinement, the coating hardness exhibited a rise-then-fall trend with increasing Λ. The highest hardness of 26.83&#xa0;GPa and an elastic modulus of 320.47&#xa0;GPa were achieved at Λ = 20&#xa0;nm. At the modulation period corresponding to the peak hardness, the multilayer architecture also integrates the high hardness of CrN with the intrinsic toughness of metallic Cr, resulting in the highest film–substrate adhesion strength of 12.796 N at Λ = 20&#xa0;nm. Under oil-lubricated conditions, the friction coefficient and wear rate of the Cr/CrN multilayers exhibited a decreasing-then-increasing trend with increasing Λ. This behavior is attributed to the Λ-dependent variation in the alternating stress fields at the multilayer interfaces, which modulate the mechanical response of the coatings. Both the minimum friction coefficient of 0.1073 and the lowest wear rate of 5.114 × 10⁻⁶ mm<sup>3</sup>·N⁻<sup>1</sup>·mm⁻<sup>1</sup> were obtained at Λ = 20&#xa0;nm.Electrochemical tests in 3.5&#xa0;wt% NaCl solution further revealed that the multilayer configuration suppresses continuous columnar growth, enhances coating density, and reduces porosity, thereby impeding the diffusion of corrosive species. Among all samples, the Cr/CrN multilayers with Λ = 20&#xa0;nm and Λ = 50&#xa0;nm exhibited comparable corrosion resistance; however, the Λ = 20&#xa0;nm multilayer demonstrated the overall best balance between mechanical and electrochemical performance.</p>

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Microstructural regulation of tribological performance and corrosion resistance of coatings: a case study of Cr/CrN

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月4日

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  • Yiming Zhang,
  • Xinyue Liu,
  • Dengji Zhu,
  • Dengsheng Zheng,
  • Siqi Zhou,
  • Qibiao Feng,
  • Xinmeng Wu,
  • Lihua Yu,
  • Junhua Xu

摘要

CrN monolayer films and a series of Cr/CrN multilayer coatings with a modulation ratio of 1 and various modulation periods (Λ) were fabricated using non-equilibrium magnetron sputtering. The microstructure, mechanical properties, lubricated tribological behavior, and corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution were systematically investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, laser confocal microscopy, nanoindentation, tribometer testing, and electrochemical measurements. The Cr/CrN multilayers consisted of face-centered cubic (fcc) CrN and body-centered cubic (bcc) Cr. A coherent interface between fcc-CrN(200) and bcc-Cr(110) was observed when Λ ranged from 8 to 20 nm. Benefiting from the multilayer-induced inhibition of continuous columnar growth and the consequent grain refinement, the coating hardness exhibited a rise-then-fall trend with increasing Λ. The highest hardness of 26.83 GPa and an elastic modulus of 320.47 GPa were achieved at Λ = 20 nm. At the modulation period corresponding to the peak hardness, the multilayer architecture also integrates the high hardness of CrN with the intrinsic toughness of metallic Cr, resulting in the highest film–substrate adhesion strength of 12.796 N at Λ = 20 nm. Under oil-lubricated conditions, the friction coefficient and wear rate of the Cr/CrN multilayers exhibited a decreasing-then-increasing trend with increasing Λ. This behavior is attributed to the Λ-dependent variation in the alternating stress fields at the multilayer interfaces, which modulate the mechanical response of the coatings. Both the minimum friction coefficient of 0.1073 and the lowest wear rate of 5.114 × 10⁻⁶ mm3·N⁻1·mm⁻1 were obtained at Λ = 20 nm.Electrochemical tests in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution further revealed that the multilayer configuration suppresses continuous columnar growth, enhances coating density, and reduces porosity, thereby impeding the diffusion of corrosive species. Among all samples, the Cr/CrN multilayers with Λ = 20 nm and Λ = 50 nm exhibited comparable corrosion resistance; however, the Λ = 20 nm multilayer demonstrated the overall best balance between mechanical and electrochemical performance.