CrSiCN coatings with different Si and C contents were deposited.
CrSiCN coatings consisted of Cr(C,N) nanocrystallites and amorphous phases such as a-Si3N4(SiC, SiCN) and a-C(a-CNx).
CrSiCN coatings exhibited the highest hardness of 21.3 GPa at the TMS flow of 10 sccm.
CrSiCN coatings deposited at the TMS flow of 10 sccm possessed the excellent tribological properties in water.
The wear mechanism changed from tribochemical wear to mechanical wear when the TMS flow increased.