Supertough wear-resistant coatings with ‘chameleon’ surface adaptation

In this paper, a review of the present status of the research and technological development in the field of superhard nanocomposite coatings is attempted. Various deposition techniques have been used to prepare nanocomposite coatings. Among them, reactive magnetron sputtering is most commonly used. Nanocomposite coating design methodology and synthesis are described with emphasis on the magnetron sputtering deposition technique. Also discussed are the hardness and fracture toughness measurements of the coatings and the size effect. Superhard nanocomposite thin films are obtainable through optimal design of microstructure. So far, much attention is paid to increasing hardness, but not enough to toughness. The development of next generation superhard coatings should base on appropriate material design to achieve high hardness and at the same time high toughness.

Recent advances of superhard nanocomposite coatings: a review

Nanocomposite and nanostructured tribological materials for space applications

This paper presents a brief overview of the field of structural nanocrystalline materials. These are materials in either bulk, coating, or thin film form whose function is for structural applications. The major processing methods for production of bulk nanocrystalline materials are reviewed. These methods include inert gas condensation, chemical reaction methods, electrodeposition, mechanical attrition, and severe plastic deformation. The stability of the nanocrystalline microstructure is discussed in terms of strategies for retardation of grain growth. Selected mechanical properties of nanocrystalline materials are described; specifically strength and ductility. Corrosion resistance is briefly addressed. Examples of present or potential applications for structural nanocrystalline materials are given.

Structural nanocrystalline materials: an overview

Design of a Ti/TiC/DLC functionally gradient coating based on studies of structural transitions in Ti–C thin films

A hybrid technique is reported, which combines magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser ablation to produce plasma fluxes intersected on a substrate surface to form metal, ceramic and diamond‐like materials Deposition of crystalline Ti, TixCy, TiCN, and amorphous diamond‐like carbon films at low temperatures by the new technique is discussed The variation of laser pulse frequency is found to be a simple way to control film chemical composition The technique can be used to prepare materials with transitional structure, as, for example, between metal carbides and diamond‐like carbon

Combined magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser deposition of carbides and diamond‐like carbon films

Pulsed laser deposition of titanium-carbonitride thin films

Photoluminescence and X-ray diffraction study of highly uniform silicon and GexSi1-x epitaxial layers

We report on the growth and characterization of multiple quantum well structures by UHV/ CVD epitaxy. X- ray diffraction is used to verify the expected layer periodicity and to determine the quantum well thickness. Photoluminescence measurements show peaks which we associate with recombination of excitons in the quantum wells. The measurements are consistent with high quality layers with small variation in quantum well thickness across a wafer.

M.A. Capano

Papers

Design of a Ti/TiC/DLC functionally gradient coating based on studies of structural transitions in Ti–C thin films

Combined magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser deposition of carbides and diamond‐like carbon films

Pulsed laser deposition of titanium-carbonitride thin films

Photoluminescence and X-ray diffraction study of highly uniform silicon and GexSi1-x epitaxial layers

Growth and Characterization Of GexSi1−x/ Si Multiple Quantum Well Structures