https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap:2004169
Superhard nanocomposites: design concept, properties, present and future industrial applications*
Institute for Chemistry of Inorganic Materials, Technical University Munich, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
Corresponding author: veprek@ch.tum.de
Received:
6
January
2004
Revised:
6
January
2004
Accepted:
30
March
2004
Published online:
5
August
2004
Distinction between superhard coatings obtained by energetic ion bombardment during their deposition and superhard nanocomposites whose superhardness and high thermal and oxidation stability originates from a stable nanostructure is described together with the properties of the latter materials. The reasons for the poor reproducibility of our data as reported by some authors may be either an incorrect choice of a too low nitrogen pressure or temperature during the deposition or built-in impurities, or a combination of those.
PACS: 52.77.-j – Plasma applications / 61.46.+w – Nanoscale materials: clusters, nanoparticles, nanotubes, and nanocrystals / 68.60.-p – Physical properties of thin films, nonelectronic
© EDP Sciences, 2004
