Atomic structure studies of chrome alloy coatings and their abrasion resistance

In this study, thin chrome alloy reflective coatings of less than 50 nm are prepared by magnetron co-sputtering chrome and a dopant material onto coated polymeric substrates. This report shows that the lattice parameter of the alloy of chrome and dopant can be used to control the macroscopic abrasion resistance of the coating. These alloy structures are not predicted by thermodynamic equilibrium phase diagrams, illustrating the ability of physical vapour deposition to generate novel coatings. As these coatings are deposited on substrates having a glass transition temperature below 150 °C, the structure after deposition but without post processing is critical because conventional post processing (high temperature annealing) cannot be applied.