Tribological Behaviour of TiCN/TiC/TiN Coating with Multilayer Structure at Different Temperatures

TiCN/TiC/TiN coating with multilayer structure was deposited on high speed steel using chemical vapor deposition method. Adhesion strength and thickness of the coating were tested using press-in and ball-rater methods, Knoop hardness of coating was tested by a micro-hardness tester, friction coefficient was studied by using a ball-disc tester at different temperatures and the effect of temperature on friction and wear performance of coating was analyzed. The results show that the adhesion strength of coating was excellent, and the thickness and hardness of the coating were 5 μm and 2 352 HK. Friction coefficient, at 550 ℃, got a higher value at first, and then increased continually to reach maximum, then started to decrease gradually. Friction coefficient of coating increased quickly to a highest value from lower value at the begining, and then increased slowly to reach a stable stage at room temperature. There were some block spalling in the center of wear track of coatings at room temperature and a lot of abrasive dusts at the edge; plastic deformation appeared at high-temperature.