Hard tribological Ti–B–N, Ti–Cr–B–N, Ti–Si–B–N and Ti–Al–Si–B–N coatings

A comparative investigation of Ti–B–N, Ti–Cr–B–N, Ti–Si–B–N, and Ti–Al–Si–B–N coatings deposited by DC magnetron sputtering and ion implantation assisted magnetron sputtering of composite targets TiBN, TiCrB, TiSiB, and TiAlSiB in an Ar atmosphere or reactively in a gaseous mixture of Ar+N2 is presented. The targets were manufactured by means of a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis method. The microstructure and phase composition of coatings were studied by means of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The films were characterized in terms of their hardness, Young’s modulus, elastic recovery, adhesion (critical load), friction and wear. The lifetime of drills coated with Ti–Cr–B–N and Ti–Si–B–N coatings as well as the productivity of the drilling process were examined.