Study of the Properties of Iron and Vanadium Nitride Coatings by CCPD on 1080 Steel

In this study, nanostructured coatings of VN2/Fe3N/Fe4N are synthesized by Plasma Deposition (CCPD) using a vanadium cathodic cage and subject to cathodic and floating potential treatments. Microstructural and mechanical properties of coated SAE 1080 steel samples are investigated using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Vickers microhardness (HV), and surface roughness analysis. The coating produced under cathodic potential treatment exhibited a nitridebased microstructure (VN2, Fe3N, Fe4N), with surface morphology consisting of clusters of granular structures with varied particle sizes. The coating produced under floating potential predominantly exhibited the iron nitride phase (Fe3N) with a morphology composed of uniformly sized grains. Microhardness testing showed that both layers exhibited more excellent plastic deformation resistance than the substrate. Roughness measurements confirmed a more organized microstructure profile for the sample treated under floating potential. This study demonstrates that the CCPD-produced cathodic potential coating can be utilized in tribological applications.