The Effect of Deposition Parameters on the Structural and Mechanical Properties of BN Coatings Deposited onto High-Speed Steel by the PLD Method

Boron nitride coatings have been deposited onto high-speed steel substrates using pulsed laser deposition technique combined with RF-discharge. In order to improve adhesion and reduce internal stresses, substrates were subjected to gas nitriding. The structure and morphology of coatings were investigated applying atomic force microscopy (AFM) and FTIR spectroscopy. Nanohardness and elastic modulus were examined employing a nanoanalyzer (CETR). On the basis of the conducted experiments, stable, crystalline, multiphase coatings have been obtained. It has been proved that morphology, structure and mechanical properties strongly depend on the parameters of the PLD process; in particular, the temperature of the substrate has a crucial influence on the properties of BN coatings.