Effect of Nitrogen Doping on Tribological Properties of Ta(2)O(5) Coatings Deposited by RF Magnetron Sputtering

Ta(2)O(5) was deposited on quartz glass and Si substrates as a protective coating. The inherent RF magnetron sputtering power of 140 W was maintained during the deposition process. During the deposition process, amounts of 5%, 10%, and 15% of N(2) were injected, and the total sputtering gas (N(2)+Ar) flow was kept at 40 sccm. The microstructure and surface morphology of the coatings were characterized, and the friction and wear experiments of the coatings were carried out. The results show that the coatings’ surface is smooth and the main chemical compositions are Ta, O, and N. The maximum average roughness of the coatings was prepared by pure argon sputtering. It is proved that the introduction of N(2) reduces the surface roughness of the coatings and increases the surface hardness and elastic modulus of the coatings. Adhesive wear and brittle fracture are the two main wear forms of coatings. The wear debris is mainly composed of columnar particles and a flake structure.