Synthesis and characterisation of Ti-C coatings with variable carbon content

Carbide coatings deposited by PVD techniques can provide different properties according to their structural and compositional features. In particular, MC/a-C(:H) composite coatings (where M is a carbide-forming element) receive increasing attention as wear resistant films with low coefficient of friction. In this work, Ti-C:H coatings were prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering and their atomic ratio Ti/C was varied between 0.14 and 5.3. Maximum hardness values were achieved for Ti/C ratios corresponding to the carbide formation. Nanocomposite coatings with hydrocarbon matrix were deposited after growing a functionally graded interlayer and their tribological properties were investigated both in air and in water.