The Problems of Application of PVD/CVD Thin Hard Coatings for Heavy-Loaded Machine Components

The authors developed test methods for investigation of heavy-loaded coated machine elements: scuffing and pitting. Results of their investigation indicate the very positive role of coatings for increasing resistance to scuffing. The authors stated that the role of usually toxic lubricating additives can be taken over by the thin coating. The crucial problem is pitting. Comprehensive research indicates that steel components with typical PVD coatings (eg. TiN, CrN) usually do not exhibit a satisfactory fatigue life. However the results of experiments performed by the authors for new coatings are encouraging.