High-entropy ZrTiCrNiCu coating

Abstract

A magnetron target made of a high-entropy ZrTiCrNiCu alloy was synthesized by mechanical alloying methods followed by annealing in a vacuum furnace. Using this target, coatings were applied to steel samples with a thickness of 7-10 microns. After thermal annealing, the coatings were nanostructured. In terms of microhardness, the ZrTiCrNiCu coating is not inferior to, and in most cases exceeds the hardness of high-entropy equiatomic alloys. A high entropy coating has a low coefficient of friction. They turn out to be antifriction, which, most likely, leads to energy savings. In this work, the surface energy, contact potential difference and work function of electrons for high-entropy coatings were determined for the first time.