Influence of Si content and growth condition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti–Si–N nanocomposite films

Thin films of Ti–Si–N have been prepared by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) from two Ti and Si targets. The silicon concentration in the deposited coatings is varied between 0 and 23.7 at.%. The influence of Si content and growth conditions on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated using XPS, AFM, XRD and nanoindenter. These nanocomposite coatings exhibit improved mechanical properties in comparison with TiN deposited under the same condition. The hardness measured by nanoindentation reached 42 GPa in Ti–Si–N films containing 11.32 at.% of Si, whereas TiN films only had a value of about 18 GPa. AFM showed that the finest grain size of Ti–Si–N appeared to be 5 nm when Si content was 11.32 at.%. From XPS and XRD results, the microstructures of the high hardness samples were found to consist of nanocrystal TiN grains and amorphous Si3N4.