ZrB2-based coatings are characterized by high hardness (23–36 GPa), relatively high friction coefficient (0.9), wear rate (8 × 10^-6 mm3 N^-1 m^-1), and corrosion current density in seawater (0.24 μA/cm² ). Dopants are added to the composition of ZrB₂-based coatings to improve their operating characteristics. The mechanical and tribological characteristics of ZrB₂-based coatings can be enhanced by modifying their structure upon deposition in nitrogen-containing environments. In our previous work demonstrated that doping ZrB₂-based coatings with nitrogen reduces the grain size and leads to formation of the nc-ZrB₂/a-BN nanocomposite structure, decreases the friction coefficient twofold, and increases wear and corrosion resistance by a factor of 8 and 3.5, respectively. X-ray amorphous and optically transparent Zr-B-N coatings are formed at nitrogen contents of >30 at.%. Nitrogen was found to have a prominent effect on the Zr-B-O-N and Zr-B-C-N coatings. The Zr-B-C-N coatings with the optimal nitrogen concentration of 20 at.% were characterized by the maximal hardness of 36 GPa and the Young's modulus of 317 GPa due to formation of a nanocomposite structure consisting of 2 nm ZrN and/or Zr(B,N) crystallites separated by amorphous intergrain layers.

Non-reactive Zr-Mo-Si-B coatings were earlier fabricated by magnetron sputtering. The nc-ZrB₂/a-MoSi₂ coatings (nc-nanocrystallites, the a-amorphous phase) were characterized by hardness of 36 GPa, elastic recovery of 84 %, and excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance at 1200℃, which was ensured by formation of a protective (SiO₂ + ZrO₂)/SiO₂ oxide layer . In order to understand the mechanisms through which silicides affect the properties of multicomponent Zr-(Mo)-Si-B coatings, the simpler Zr-Si-B system needs to be studied. This study aimed to investigate the structure, the optical, mechanical, and tribological properties, as well as high-temperature oxidation resistance of Zr-Si-B-(N) coatings fabricated by magnetron sputtering in various environments with different nitrogen contents.

The relevant research results are titled “Effect of nitrogen on the structure and properties of Zr-Si-B-N coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering” is published in Surface & Coatings Technology (JCR Q1, IF= 5.4).

Title: Oxygen blocking enhancement of HfB₂-SiC coating using HfB₂-HfSi₂ alloyed composite powders by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

Author: Ph.V. Kiryukhantsev-Korneev, A.D. Sytchenk, Peizhong Feng

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0257897223008174

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2023.130042

If you want to get the PDF version, please contact the Email: kiruhancev-korneev@yandex.ru