The Oxidation and Corrosion Resistance of AlCrNbSiTiN Multi-Principal Element Nitride Coatings

Multi-principal element nitrides have great application potential in protective coatings. However, the investigation of the oxidation and corrosion resistance of multi-principal element nitride coatings is still insufficient. The synthesis and high-temperature performance of AlCrNbSiTiN multi-principal element nitride coatings fabricated through optimized arc ion plating (AIP) were explored. Leveraging the high ionization efficiency and ion kinetic energy characteristic of AIP, coatings with significantly fewer internal defects were obtained. These coatings demonstrate superior mechanical properties, including a maximum hardness of 36.5 GPa and critical crack propagation resistance (CPR) values approaching 2000 N². Optimal coatings exhibited exceptional water vapor corrosion resistance (5.15 at% O after 200 h). The coatings prepared at -150 V had the optimal corrosion resistance, with the coating resistance and corrosion current density being 1.68 × 10⁴ Ω·cm² and 0.79 μA·cm^-2, respectively. AlCrNbSiTiN coatings produced under these optimized AIP conditions exhibit remarkably high-temperature oxidation, highlighting their potential for use in demanding engineering applications.