Friction and wear behaviors of tin coatings under dry and vacuum conditions

Abstract

In this study, pure TiN coatings were applied on AISI 52100 steel surfaces with a magnetron sputterer at different direct current (DC) powers and N-2 flows to develop a wear-resistant coating for sliding tribopairs working in atmospheric and vacuum conditions. Wear and friction characteristics of these coatings were investigated with a tribometer under both vacuum and atmospheric conditions. DC power and N-2 flow affected the coating thickness and structure. TiN coatings showed different wear and friction characteristics under ambient and vacuum conditions due to the oxidation level of the surface.