Obtaining and Characterization of Multicomponent Gradient Mutlilayer Carbide Coatings

Two new experimental devices, which allow obtaining both gradient multilayer composites and coatings of each of their layers separately are presented. Using them, a wide range of compositions of multicomponent carbide coatings is obtained. Among them there are three groups- (a) coatings with high Cr content (b) coatings with high Ti and C content (c) coatings with high mixing entropy and composition closer to equimolar. Group (a) is characterized by BCC lattice and elongated surface structures. Group (b) has an FCC lattice, and at a content of C>51 at. % there is a porous structure on the surface, which adversely affects the microhardness of the coatings. For group (c) mainly amorphous/nanocrystalline or FCC structure, slight surface roughness, and good microhardness values were found. Multilayer composites demonstrate the best mechanical properties - high adhesion and good microhardness (23-28 GPa).