# Comparative Study of Nanostructured Multilayer Cr/(Cr/a-C)ml Coatings Deposited on HS6-5-2 Steel by Magnetron Sputtering

## TL;DR

This study compares nanostructured Cr/(Cr/a-C)ml coatings on steel deposited using different power settings, analyzing their properties and performance.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in the comparative analysis of coating properties under varied chromium target power during magnetron sputtering.

## Key findings

- Coating thickness, uniformity, and defects were evaluated using cross-section analysis.
- Adhesion strength was tested using Calotest and Daimler-Benz methods.
- Nanoindentation revealed differences in hardness and elasticity based on deposition power.

## Abstract

Comparative analysis of nanostructured multilayer Cr/(Cr/a-C)ml coatings on HS6-5-2 steel was carried out. The coatings were deposited at various chromium target power values using PVD technology, particularly the magnetron sputtering method. The effect of different technological regimes on the properties of the nanostructured multilayer Cr/(Cr/a-C)ml coatings was studied. Identical characterization methods were used for the three types of coatings obtained. Cross-sections of the coated samples were prepared in order to directly determine the thickness of the resulting coatings, their uniformity, and the presence of defects or imperfections, both at the substrate–coating interface and within the coatings themselves. Calotest and Daimler-Benz adhesion test were also performed to evaluate the coated layers’ thickness and evaluate their adhesion strength. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses were carried out to define the chemical composition of the multilayered coatings. To evaluate the hardness and modulus of elasticity of the resulting coatings, nanoindentation measurements were also conducted. The data obtained under the three different deposition regimes were analyzed and compared, which allowed us to assess the influence of the chromium target power during the deposition process on the properties of the obtained coatings.