| 1. |
- Malinovskis, Paulius, et al.
(författare)
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Synthesis and characterisation of Mo-B-C thin films deposited by non-reactive DC magnetron sputtering
- 2017
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Ingår i: Surface & Coatings Technology. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA. - 0257-8972 .- 1879-3347. ; 309, s. 506-515
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Thin films in the Mo-B-C system with varying carbon content (up to 37 at.%) were deposited using non-reactive DC magnetron sputtering. The phase composition and microstructure were determined and the potential use of the films in sliding electrical contact applications was evaluated. Films with lower than 23 at.% carbon content consisted of nanocrystalline MoB2 - x grains surrounded by an amorphous tissue phase (a-B for binary, and a-BCx for ternary films). With increasing carbon content grain sizes was found to decrease (from 16 to 5 nm), and above 23 at.% carbon the films deposited at room temperature were X-ray amorphous. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveal that these films contain Mo-rich and Mo-poor regions, and thus are two-phase amorphous nanocomposites. Low-carbon content samples exhibited a friction coefficient against the steel counter surface of 1.1; this was reduced to 0.8 for high carbon-content films. Analysis of the tribofilm revealed formation of molybdenum oxide and amorphous carbon, however without significant lubricating effect at room temperature. Hardness and elastic modulus decrease with carbon content from similar to 29 to similar to 22 GPa and similar to 526 to similar to 326 GPa. These values give an WE ratio of 0.06 to 0.07, indicating brittle material. Resistivity was found to increase with carbon content from similar to 175 mu Omega cm for binary Mo-B to similar to 395 mu Omega cm for Mo-B-C thin film with 37 at.% of C. Therefore all the above results suggest that the Mo-B-C films are not suitable for sliding electrical contacts.
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| 2. |
- Malinovskis, Paulius, et al.
(författare)
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Synthesis and Characterisation of Nanocomposite Mo-Fe-B Thin Films Deposited by Magnetron Sputtering
- 2021
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Ingår i: Materials. - : MDPI. - 1996-1944 .- 1996-1944. ; 14:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several ternary phases are known in the Mo-Fe-B system. Previous ab initio calculations have predicted that they should exhibit a tempting mix of mechanical and magnetic properties. In this study, we have deposited Mo-Fe-B films with a Fe-content varying from 0-37 at.% using non-reactive DC (direct current) magnetron sputtering. The phase composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and nanoindentation measurements. Films deposited at 300 degrees C and with >7 at.% Fe are nanocomposites consisting of two amorphous phases: a metal-rich phase and a metal-deficient phase. Hardness and elastic modulus were reduced with increasing Fe-content from similar to 29 to similar to 19 GPa and similar to 526 to similar to 353 GPa, respectively. These values result in H-3/E-2 ratios of 0.089-0.052 GPa, thereby indicating brittle behaviour of the films. Also, no indication of crystalline ternary phases was observed at temperatures up to 600 degrees C, suggesting that higher temperatures are required for such films to form.
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| 3. |
- Petruhins, Andrejs
(författare)
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Synthesis and characterization of Ga-containing MAX phase thin films
- 2014
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The study of magnetic Mn+1AXn (MAX) phases (n = 1 − 3, M – a transition metal, A – an A group element, X – C or N) is a recently established research area, fuelled by theoretical predictions and first confirmed experimentally through alloying of Mn into the well-known Cr2AlC and Cr2GeC. Theoretical phase stability investigations suggested a new magnetic MAX phase, Mn2GaC, containing Ga which is liquid close to room temperature. Hence, alternative routes for MAX phase synthesis were needed, motivating a further development of magnetron sputtering from liquid targets.In this thesis, (Cr1-xMnx)2GaC 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 MAX phase thin films have been synthesized from elemental and/or compound targets, using ultra high vacuum magnetron sputtering. Initial thin film synthesis of Cr2GaC was performed using elemental targets, including liquid Ga. Process optimization ensured optimal target size and crucible geometry for containing the Ga. Films were deposited at 650 °C on MgO(111) substrates. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirms the growth of epitaxial Cr2GaC MAX phase with minor inclusions of Cr3Ga.To explore the magnetic characteristics upon Mn alloying, synthesis of (Cr0.5Mn0.5)2GaC thin films was performed from elemental Ga and C and a composite Cr/Mn target of 1:1 composition. Films were deposited on MgO(111), Al2O3(0001) (with or without NbN seed layer), and 4° off-cut 4H-SiC(0001) substrates. The films are smooth and of high structural quality as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The film composition measured by high resolution energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirms a composition corresponding to (Cr0.5Mn0.5)2GaC. The magnetic response, as measured with vibrating sample magnetometry, displays a ferromagnetic component, however, the temperature dependence of the magnetic moments and saturation fields suggests competing magnetic interaction and possible non-collinear magnetic ordering.Finally, inspired by theoretical predictions, a new member of the MAX phase family, Mn2GaC, was synthesized. This is the first MAX phase containing Mn as a sole M element. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirms the characteristic MAX phase structure with a 2:1:1 composition. Theoretical work suggests that the magnetic ground state is almost degenerate between ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagnetic. Vibrating sample magnetometry shows ferromagnetic response with a transition temperature Tc of 230 K. However, also for this phase, complex magnetism is suggested. Altogether, the results indicate a new family of magnetic nanolaminates with a rich variation of magnetic ground states.
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