TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF CrAgN THIN FILMS

CrN and CrAgN thin films were magnetron sputtered onto the substrate made from Vanadis 6 cold work tool steel. The films were examined on tribological properties using a high temperature Pin-on-disc tribometer. Obtained results show that there is almost no effect of Ag addition on the friction coefficient when tested at a room temperature against alumina. The testing against the same counterpart at higher temperature gave positive effect of the silver addition on the friction coefficient. The testing against 100Cr6 ball bearing steel gave higher friction coefficient than that against alumina while the testing against CuSn6-bronze led to much lower μ. When tested at a room temperature, the wear performance of the films was positively affected only in the case of the CrAg3N film developed at 500 °C. On the other hand, addition of 3 wt% Ag into the CrN increased the wear performance at elevated temperatures while the addition of 15 wt% Ag has made the film too soft and sensitive to wear.