High rate magnetron sputtering of thick Cr-based tribological coatings

In this study, high rate deposition of thick CrNx films was carried out by crossed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering for the special application such as piston ring employed in automobile engine. For the high rate deposition and thick CrNx films formation with thickness of 30$\mu\textrm{m}$, high power density of $35W/cm^2$ in each target was induced and the multi-layer films of Cr/CrN and $\alpha$-Cr/CrN were synthesized by control of $N_2$ flow rate. The dynamic deposition rate of Cr and $\alpha$-CrN film was reached to 0.17$\mu\textrm{m}$/min and 0.12$\mu\textrm{m}$/rnin and the thick CrN$_{x}$. film of 30$\mu\textrm{m}$ could be obtained less than 5 hours. The maximum hardness was obtained above 2200 kg/mm$^2$ and adhesion strength was measured in about 70N, in case of multi-layers films. And the friction coefficient was measured by 0.4, which was similar to the value of CrN single-layer film.m.