Tribological Performance of CrAlSiN Coatings at High Temperatures

Chromium aluminum nitride (CrAlN) coatings produced by PVD are routinely deposited on tools and tested as components for machining and forming applications. However, the addition of a doping element, such as Si, can further improve the properties of such coatings. In this study, CrAlN and CrAlSiN coatings with different Cr/Al ratio were prepared on WC substrates by low cathodic arc deposition and their structure and tribological properties analyzed in situ at high temperatures. In spite of excellent thermal stability and oxidation resistance, the hot-sliding tests showed unsatisfactory coating behavio