Abstract
Coatings of pure chromium and of carbon- or nitrogen-doped chromium have been prepared by cathodic magnetron sputtering of a Cr target in atmospheres of argon, argon and methane, or argon and nitrogen. The Cr:C und Cr:N coutings have microhardnesses up to 3500 HV (50 g) and possess fretting-wear, fatigue, and corrosion properties superior to those of electrolytic hard chrome. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of supersaturated solid solutions of C and N in Cr for concentrations of C and N up to several weight percent, with no detectable nitride or carbide formation as would have been expected from binary Cr-C and Cr-N phase diagrams.
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