Mechanical Properties of V-O-N Coatings Synthesized by Cathodic Arc Evaporation.

The V-O-N coating set was produced at different relative oxygen concentrations of O(x) = O/(N +O) using cathodic arc evaporation. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of oxygen on coating properties. The coatings' composition and structural properties (X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)) and mechanical properties-hardness, adhesion, and wear resistance (nano-indenter, scratch tester, ball-on-disc tester)-were extensively investigated.