Abstract
A 30-kV plasma immersion ion implantation setup (P $I^3$) has been equipped with a self-developed 6'-magnetron to perform hard coatings with enhanced adhesion by P $I^3$D(P $I^3$ assisted deposition) process. Using ICP source with immersed Ti antenna and reactive magnetron sputtering of Ti target in $N_2$/Ar ambient gas mixture, the TiN films were prepared on Si substrates at different pulse bias and ion-to-atom arrival ratio ( $J_{i}$ $J_{Me}$ ). Prior to TiN film formation the nitrogen implantation was performed followed by deposition of Ti buffer layer under A $r^{+}$ irradiation. Films grown at $J_{i}$ $J_{Me}$ =0.003 and $V_{pulse}$=-20kV showed columnar grain morphology and (200) preferred orientation while those prepared at $J_{i}$ $J_{Me}$ =0.08 and $V_{pulse}$=-5 kV had dense and eqiaxed structure with (111) and (220) main peaks. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed some amount of $Ti_{x}$ $N_{y}$ in the films. The maximum microhardness of $H_{v}$ =35 GN/ $M^2$ was at the pulse bias of -5 kV. The P $I^3$D technique was applied to enhance wear properties of commercial tools of HSS (SKH51) and WC-Co alloy (P30). The specimens were 25-kV PII nitrogen implanted to the dose 4.10$^{17}$ c $m^{-2}$ and then coated with 4-$\mu\textrm{m}$ TiN film on $Ti_{x}$ $N_{y}$ buffer layer. Wear resistance was compared by measuring weight loss under sliding test (6-mm $Al_2$ $O_3$ counter ball, 500-gf applied load). After 30000 cycles at 500 rpm the untreated P30 specimen lost 3.10$^{-4}$ g, and HSS specimens lost 9.10$^{-4}$ g after 40000 cycles while quite zero losses were demonstrated by TiN coated specimens.s.