Evaluation of Residual Stresses in PVD Coatings by Means of Strip Substrate Length Variation and Curvature Method of Plate Substrate

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine macroscopic residual stresses in Physical Vapor Deposits (PVD) coatings through measurement of the length variation of the strip substrates coated on both sides. The length change of the strip was reduced to the deflection of the middle cross-section of the elastic element and was recorded by four strain gauges. For validating the obtained results, the conventional curvature method was used. As an application, residual stresses in hard AlCrN PVD coatings were investigated. The coatings were nanolayered to achieve better coating toughness for blanking and punching applications. The steel strips and steel plates with two thicknesses were used as the substrate. The values of the compressive residual stresses, determined by both methods for the investigated coatings, were very high (3.3 -3.6 GPa) independent of coating thickness and practically equal within the measurement uncertainty of the method. Good agreement between the experimental results obtained with both methods suggests that the presented method, strip length variation, is applicable for determination of residual stresses in coatings. Compressive stresses in coatings are desirable as they strengthen the coating.