The objective of the research in this work was the modification of structure of carbide-type chromized layers, by the combination of diffusion chromizing with subsequent PVD treatment, consisting of chromium nitride deposition, carried out to improve their tribological properties. As a result, hybrid layers on the surface of tool steel were obtained. For comparison, the properties of single chromized carbide layers obtained in a diffusion chromizing process were tested. Investigations of layer microstructure, their mechanical properties, surface topography, adhesion of layers to the steel substrate, as well as tribological properties were conducted. The layer microstructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Topography of the layer surface was studied by an optical profilometer. The scratch test for investigations of layers adhesion to the steel substrate was used. Testing of tribological properties (linear wear) of the layers was performed by the three-cylinder-cone method. It was shown, that hybrid layers are characterized by a significantly smaller surface roughness than that of chromized carbide layers and their wear resistance improved almost twice with respect to carbide layers.

The paper discusses the results of investigations of material, tribological and anti-corrosion properties of hybrid coatings of the Cr/CrN type, consisting of chromium and chromium nitride, formed on the surface of alloy tool steel by the Arc-PVD method. Investigations of the morphology and microstructure of hybrid coatings, as well as of their phase composition were carried out. The studies on mechanical properties included tests on hardness and Young’s modulus using the nanoindentation method. Tests on adhesion were conducted using the scratch-test method. Tribological properties of the obtained coatings were evaluated by the pin-on-disc method. Resistance to corrosion was determined by electrochemical methods. It was shown that hybrid coatings of the Cr/CrN type are characterized by good adhesion to the substrate and very good tribological properties, as well as by very good resistance to corrosion in a solution containing chlorine ions.

This paper presents the study of microstructure and properties of 8 mol% yttrium stabilized zirconia coating fabricated by Plasma Spray Physical Vapor Deposition technique on commercial pure titanium. The coating was characterized by X-ray diffraction, high resolution scanning electron microscope, profilometer, nanoindentation and nanomachining tests. The X-ray phase analysis exhibit the tetragonal Zr0.935Y0.065O1.968, TiO and α-Ti phases. The Rietveld refinement technique were indicated the changes of crystal structure of the produced coatings. The characteristic structure of columns were observed in High Resolutions Scanning Electron Microscopy. Moreover, the obtained coating had various development of surfaces, thickness was equal to 3.1(1) µm and roughness 0.40(7) µm. Furthermore, the production coatings did not show microcracks, delamination and crumbing. The performed experiment encourages carried out us to tests for osseointegration.

A short literature survey which justifies coating of ceramic cutting inserts is presented. The results reported are on selected nitride

coatings, in particular nanoscale multilayer, with layers of type Ti-Zr-N, TiN, ZrN and (TiAl)N, deposited by the arc PVD method on oxidecarbide ceramic cutting inserts of type TACN and TW2 produced at the Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. Measurements and quality assessments were made, including of thickness of the coatings and of their constituent micro and nanolayers, microhardness of the coating and of the substrate, surface roughness of the inserts and of the cylindrical workpieces turned with these tools. Lifetimes of the coated and uncoated inserts were compared in turning an alloy tool steel. A significant increase in lifetime of the coated TW2 cutting tools was shown.

The tribological behavior of the PVD-TiAlN coated carbide inserts in dry sliding against two-phase (α-β) titanium alloy,Ti6Al4V grade, was investigated. A modified pin-on-disc device was used to conduct experiments under variable normal load and sliding speed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray micro-analyses by EDS were applied for observations of wear scars and wear products. It was revealed that the increase of sliding speed contributes to decreasing the friction coefficient under a low normal force, whereas the increase of the normal loading causes the friction coefficient is less sensitive to changes in the sliding speed and its values are equal to μ = 0.26-0.34. The adhesive nature of wear along with severe abrasive action of the Ti alloy were documented.

Already published data for the optical band gap (Eg) of thin films and nanostructured copper zinc tin sulphide (CZTS) have been reviewed and combined. The vacuum (physical) and non-vacuum (chemical) processes are focused in the study for band gap comparison. The results are accumulated for thin films and nanostructured in different tables. It is inferred from the re- view that the nanostructured material has plenty of worth by engineering the band gap for capturing the maximum photons from solar spectrum.