Abstract

Copper-Nickel-Carbon nanocomposite coatings are synthesized by the sequential sputter deposition of carbon (C) and a copper-nickel (Cu_1-xNi_x) alloy. A distinct transition occurs as the Ni content (x) is increased from 0 to 1.00 during the Cu_1-xNi_x alloy deposition. The coating morphology changes from a dispersion of metallic Cu-particles in a C matrix to a well-defined nanolaminate structure. Between these morphological forms, a new prototype nanocomposite is produced at a Ni concentration (x) of 0.1-0.4 with the appearance of an interpenetrating matrix structure of C and Cu(Ni). This morphological structure has both a high 24-27 GPa hardness (H) and a low elastic modulus (E) of 144-169 GPa that results in a record high values of H/E at 1/6 and a H³/E² at 0.67-0.69 GPa in a novel compliant and hard coating.

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