Investigation of plastic deformation mechanisms and microstructural characteristics of transition metal carbonitrides, Zr(C,N) and Ti(C,N) hard coatings

• Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Idriss El Azhari
• Subject Area: Thermodynamics and Kinetics as well as Properties of Phases and Microstructure of Materials ; Coating and Surface Technology ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials ; Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials and their Microstructural Origins
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 496845180

Transition metal carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides of the periodic table groups 4, 5 and 6 possess a unique combination of ceramic and metal-like properties which permits the use in a wide range of cutting-edge technological applications. Ti(C,N) is one of the most used thin coatings. Recently, Zr(C,N) has received an increasing focus and attention due to its promising properties that would even outplay the Ti(C,N). Nevertheless, literature about their corresponding mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms are very scarce. Regarding plasticity, corresponding data and information are not available for these carbonitrides. The present proposal is an in-depth investigation plan of mechanical properties and plastic deformation of Ti(C,N) and Zr(C,N). Plasticity of single crystals will be investigated by micro-pillar compression and high-resolution microscopy characterization to understand fundamentally which are the plastic deformation mechanisms occurring. Afterwards, the investigation is scaled up to study the impact of the polycrystalline microstructure features and how they could be tailored to enhance the toughness of the related polycrystalline CVD hard coating.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Christian Motz