The correlation between structure, multifunctional properties and application of PVD MAX phase coatings. Part I. Texture and room temperature properties

ABSTRACT

Recent research has highlighted the potential of MAX phase properties including its machinability, good mechanical behaviour, high electric and thermal conductivity as well as good oxidation and erosion resistance to a range of applications including electrical contact coatings, high-temperature heating elements, and barrier- and protection coatings in gas-turbine engine. Successful engineering of MAX phases requires an understanding of how the manufacturing conditions and the deposition parameters influence the composition, crystallographic, electronic structure and morphology. It is, in turn, important to know how these determine the anisotropy of physical, mechanical and technological properties of the material. A focus point of this part of the review is the systemic study of the regular trends in the preparation parameter–structure–properties relationships of MAX phase coatings. In particular, the Cr–Al–C (Y) coating synthesised by the HIPIMS technique will be considered and compared with other synthesised MAX phase bulk ceramics and coatings.

KEYWORDS:

• MAX phase coatings
• production parameter–structure–property correlation

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Dr Richard Boucher for fruitful discussions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.