Mohamed Lahouij, Nassima Jaghar, Youssef Samih, Mohammed Makha, Jones Alami, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Benguerir, Morocco
This study explores the synthesis and characterization of Titanium Aluminum Carbon Nitride (TiAlCN) coatings, a pioneering advancement in surface engineering. Using reactive High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS), we deposited TiAlCN coatings with varying carbon content (1.3 - 58.1 at.%) by modulating the acetylene flow rate. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a carbon solubility limit of 17 at.% in the TiAlN structure, beyond which TiAl(CN) nanocrystals and an amorphous carbon phase emerged. This structural evolution significantly impacted the coatings' properties. Notably, increasing carbon content noticeably reduced the coefficient of friction from 0.62 (TiAlN) to 0.22 (42 at.% C), enhancing tribological performance. However, high carbon concentrations impeded aluminum diffusion, hindering the formation of a protective Al2O3 layer and consequently diminishing corrosion resistance. Additionally, the presence of amorphous carbon between grains at elevated carbon levels led to a reduction in the coatings' mechanical properties.