Structure of Ti–Al–Si–N gradient coatings

The microstructure, the stresses, and the elemental composition of Ti–Al–Si–N gradient coatings are studied by transmission electron microscopy and electron-probe microanalysis of thin foils prepared in the cross section of the coatings. As the concentration of the elements that alloy titanium nitride increases across the coating thickness, the structure of the coating changes from submicrocrystalline columnar grains to nanocrystalline grains. In these structural states, the structural characteristics (lattice parameter, lattice bending-torsion, crystal size, type of intragranular defect structure) and the residual stresses change. The magnitude and the sign of residual stresses change when the type of structural state changes.