Radiation Stability of Triple Coatings Based on Transition-Metal Nitrides Under Irradiation By Alpha Particles and Argon Ions

Abstract

The data on the influence of irradiation of (Ti, Cr)N_1–x coatings by helium and argon ions on their surface structure are presented. The (Ti, Cr)N_1–x coatings 50–300 nm in thickness were formed on carbon steel substrates by vacuum-arc deposition. Irradiation of the coated specimens was performed in a DC-60 heavy-ion accelerator by low-energy ₄He⁺¹, ₄He⁺² and ₄₀Ar⁵⁺ ions and high-energy ₄₀Ar⁵⁺ ions up to the fluence 1.0·10¹⁷ ion/cm² at the irradiation temperature not higher than 150°С. It is shown that irradiation of the (Ti, Cr)N_1–x coating surface by ₄He⁺¹, ₄He⁺² and ₄₀Ar⁵⁺ ions with the energy 20 keV/charge does not give rise to any noticeable structural changes nor any surface blistering, while its irradiation by ₄₀Ar⁵⁺ ions with the energy 1.50 MeV/amu causes blistering.