Microstructure and nanomechanical properties of magnetron sputtered Ti − Nb films

D. Photiou, N. T. Panagiotopoulos, L. Koutsokeras, G. A. Evangelakis, G. Constantinides

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Titanium niobium (Ti − Nb) films, covering a broad spectrum of compositions, are deposited on silicon substrates using magnetron co-sputtering. The morphological, crystallographic and mechanical characteristics of the films are studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nanoindentation, respectively. The Ti − Nb films exhibit a columnar growth and contain porosity at volumetric percentages of 2–14 vol%. Furthermore, it is observed that the allotropic β − Ti phase can be stabilized at room temperature for Nb compositions beyond 20 at%. Phase composition and microstructural details have subsequent implications on the mechanical properties of the films which are studied experimentally and micromechanically. Among the tested compositions, Ti85Nb15 exhibits the lowest elastic modulus. The obtained structure–property relations could serve as a tool for material optimization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)310-319
Number of pages10
JournalSurface and Coatings Technology
Volume302
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Sept 2016

Keywords

  • Electron microscopy
  • Nanoindentation
  • Titanium alloys
  • X-ray diffraction
  • β − Ti poromechanics

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