An Artificial Night (EPUB)

A systematic study was made on MoSi2-based nanolayer coatings. Alternating layers with thickness 1-20 nm were prepared by sputtering. Nitrided MoSi2 has a very high crystallization temperature,>1000 C, and MoSi2Nx (x=3-4) can be used as a stable second phase reinforcement or diffusion barrier coatings. Mechanical properties depend strongly on phase and morphology of the layers: hardness and modulus is significantly increased in the crystallization. The nanolayers have much higher hardness but lower modulus (which project higher toughness in the nanolayers). Wear resistance is improved with decreasing layer thickness. Single phase MoSi2Nx (x=0-4.2) has a wide range of hardness and modulus with varying N content and annealing, suggesting the possibility of engineering MoSi2Nx to produce different material properties for different mechanical applications. Most of this paper is made up of viewographs.