Fractal and multifractal characteristics of the PVD and CVD coatings deposited onto compound tool ceramics

Purpose: The goal of this work is the fractal and multifractal characteristics of the TiN and TiN+multiTiAlSiN+TiN coatings obtained in the PVD process, and of the TiN+Al2O3 coating obtained in the CVD process on the Al2O3+TiC oxide tool ceramics substrate.Design/methodology/approach: The investigations were carried out of the multi-edge inserts from the Al2O3+TiC oxide tool ceramics uncoated and coated with the TiN and TiN+multiTiAlSiN+TiN coatings deposited in the cathode arc evaporation CAE PVD process, as well as with the TiN+Al2O3coating obtained in the CVD process. Determining the fractal dimension and the multifractal analysis of the examined coatings were made basing on measurements obtained from the AFM microscope, using the projective covering method.Findings: Investigations carried out confirm that the fractal dimension and parameters describing the multifractal spectrum shape may be used for characterizing and comparing surfaces of coatings obtained in the PVD and CVD processes and of the substrate material from the Al2O3+TiC.Research limitations/implications: Investigation or relationship between parameters describing the multifractal spectrum and physical properties of the examined materials calls for further analyses.Originality/value: Investigations carried out confirm that the fractal dimension and parameters describing the multifractal spectrum shape may be used for characterizing and comparing surfaces of coatings obtained in the PVD and CVD processes.