Nanocomposite si-c-n coatings

Abstract

Coatings of ternary nanocomposite Si-C-N ceramic coatings have shown newer and improved mechanical and functional properties over the coarser and monolithic coatings. Properties like high hardness, wear resistance, oxidation resistance, tunable band gap and chemical inertness have been observed for Si-C-N which makes its potential for numerous applications. Although lot of research has taken place in Si-C-N coatings, proper understanding of the effect of different parameters on the coating properties are still not resolved. The changes occurring in fraction of Si, C and N and the phases forming in the coatings with variation in deposition conditions require investigations. This research paper gives a systematic study of the role of different deposition parameters like substrate temperature, pressure, power on the nucleation and growth, structure, microstructural bonding and mechanical properties of the film deposited by magnetron sputtering which adds significantly to the fundamental knowledge of nanocomposite Si-C-N coatings as well as its applications.