Abstract
Comparative studies on microstructure, and mechanical and anti-oxidation properties between TiN and Ti-Si-N films were performed. The Ti-Si-N films were deposited on high-speed steel and silicon wafer substrates by plasma-assisted chemcial vapor deposition(PACVD) technique. The Si addition to TiN film caused to change the microstructure such as grain size refinement, randomly multi-oriented microstructure, and nano-sized codeposition of silicon nitride in the TiN matrix. The Ti-Si-N film, contains Si content of ∼7 at.%, showed the micro-hardness value of ∼3400 HK, which was higher than the pure TiN film whose hardness was ∼1500HK. The Ti-Si(7 at.%)-N film also showed much improved anti-oxidation properties compared with those of the pure TiN film. These properties were also related to the microstructure of Ti-Si(7 at.%)-N film was formed and retarded further oxidation of the nitridelayer. These properties were also related to the microstructure of Ti-Si(7 at.%)-N film which was characterized by nano-sized precipitates of silicon nitride phase in the TiN matrix and randomly oriented grains.