Alternating stress field and superhardness effect in TiN/NbN superlattice films

In order to study the superhardness effect of superlattice films, a series of TiN/NbN superlattice films with various modulation periods were synthesized by reactive sputter deposition. X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and microhardness analysis were employed to characterize the modulation structure, interface structure and microhardness of these superlattice films. The results show that TiN/NbN films possess good periodic modulation structure and the modulation interfaces are straight and clear. The superlattice films have a face-centered-cubic polycrystalline structure resulting from epitaxial growth. They assume unusual microhardness which can reach a peak value of HK 39.0 GPa at a modulation period of 8.3 nm. It is considered by analysis that the superhardness effect of TiN/NbN superlattice films results from the strengthening effect of an alternating stress field, which is caused by the epitaxial growth of two kinds of materials with different lattice constants. (C) 2002 American Vacuum Society.