Formation and Growth of Compound Layer on Nitrocarburizing Iron: Kinetics and Microstructural Evolution

Abstract
A simple method for determining the hardness or thickness of very thin (few micrometre) ceramic coatings is described. The methods employed are demonstrated for hard, thin coatings of titanium nitride, deposited by physical vapour deposition on to high speed steel substrates. A procedure has been formulated, using the microhardness technique, to carry out thickness, hardness, and adhesion quality control checks on coated items.