Nanomechanical properties of nanocomposite coatings and fundamental mechanisms of their synthesis

• Research unit: INNOSUISSE
• Project number: 6936.2;13 NMPP-NM

Short description (English)

Nanomechanical properties of nanocomposite coatings and fundamental mechanisms of their synthesis

Abstract (English)

This project studies the fundamental aspect of the formation, structure refinement, and nanomechanical behaviour of nanocomposite thin films of multicomponent nitrides prepared using cathodic arc-plasma, sputtering and electroplating. A variety of submicron scale characterisation techniques are used to provide a picture of strengthening mechanisms and interface driven processes prominent in deformation of hard materials, as well as fracture mechanisms governing crack propagation in nanostructured thin films. The experimental results are supported by computer simulation and atomistic theories of nucleation and growth utilising a multiscale modelling approach, to extend insight into the atomistic phenomena related to overall properties of nanocomposite thin films. The basic understanding of the structure-property relations and the process condition-structure relations will be used for industrial development of hard coatings with outstanding properties and smart functionalities.