Wear characteristics of AlCrN coating on AISI 410 steel by the ball-cratering test method

Purpose In this study the microstructure and wear characteristics of Multilayer AlCrN coated AISI 410 stainless steel with the physical vapor deposition technique. Design/methodology/approach The friction and wear performance of the ML-AlCrN-coated AISI410 steel and uncoated AISI410 steel sliding against with high carbon steel were investigated by the ball cratering test at room temperature. The tribological characteristic of coated AISI410 steel was determined by applying constant sliding velocity of 0.3927 ms−1 and total sliding distance of 353.43 m over various normal loads of 2, 3 and 4 N. Findings The AlCrN-coated AISI410 steel showed excellent wear performance up to 4 N load. The uncoated AISI410 steel showed good to acceptable wear resistance up to 2 N load. The wear tracks and worn surface were examined by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) attachment for explaining the differences in wear mechanism. Originality/value The ability of coating to delay substrate oxidation, with an excellent wear resistance, was identified under different parameters on worn areas.