Current status of the technologies of vacuum deposition of coatings from the Ti-Al-C MAX phases

Abstract

Modern industry makes ever-increasing demands on structural materials and coatings to ensure the desired functionality of products, and researchers are devoting more and more work to find new materials to provide the desired properties. Among the many promising materials, a special place is occupied by the so-called Mn+1AXn (MAX) phases of various systems, which combine the properties of metals and ceramics. One of the most studied are the Ti-Al-C MAX phases, which have high mechanical properties and oxidation resistance at 1400°C. This paper presents a review of the current level of development of methods for obtaining coatings from MAX phases of Ti-Al-C by physical vapor deposition (PVD) technology. The publications mainly devoted to magnetron sputtering in various configurations, for example, with unbalancing, in HiPIMS mode, as well as to cathodic-arc deposition, since these methods are among the most widespread methods of vacuum deposition of coatings. The functional properties of the resulting coatings are discussed, with a special interest in oxidation resistance in high-temperature environments.