MICROSTRUCTURE AND TRIBOLOGY OF $TiB_2$ AND $TiB_2$-TiN DOUBLE-LAYER COATINGS

$TiB_2$-TiN double-layer coating have been prepared by ion beam enhanced deposition. AES, XRD, TEM and HRTEM were employed to characterize the $TiB_2$ layer. The microhardness of the coatings was evaluated by an ultra low-load microhardness indenter system, and the tribological behavior was examined by a ball-on-disc tribology wear tester. It was found that in a single titanium diboride layer, the composition is uniform along the depth of the film, and it is mainly composed of nanocrystalline $TiB_2$ with hexagonal structure, which resulted from the ion bombardment during the film growth. The hardness of the $TiB_2$ films increases with increasing ion energy, and approaches a maximum value of the $TiB_2$ films increases with increasing ion energy, and approaches a maximum value of 39 Gpa at ion energy of 85 keV. The tribological property of the TiB2 films is also improved by higher energy of 85keV. The tribological property of the $TiB_2$ films is also improved by higher energy ion beam bombardment. There is no major disparity in the mechanical properties of double-layer $TiB_2$/TiN coatings and TiN/$TiB_2$ coatings. Both show an improved wear resistance compared with single-layer $TiB_2$ films. The adhesion of double-layer coatings is also superior to that of single-layer films.