Erosion-Resistant PVD ZrAlCuN Coating for Titanium Alloy
Titanium alloys are susceptible to sand erosion, hard zirconium nitride coatings have been deposited onto titanium alloys by Physical vapor deposition (PVD) in order to improve erosion resistance. Al and Cu were added into ZrN coatings to strength and toughing the coating. The microstructure and mechanical properties of ZrAlCuN coating were studied. Erosion tests were conducted to evaluate anti-erosion ability. Erosion rates were measured and characteristic damage features were identified on the surface of eroded specimens. The mechanisms of erosion are discussed in order to explain the promising performance of materials in erosive conditions. It was found that there is an significant increase of erosion resistance because of the increase of hardness and toughness.