Journal of Materials Science & Technology 250 (2026) 205-218

Hard yet tough Ti/TiAlN multilayer coatings: Erosion resistance and micropillar compression

Jingjun Yan, Yan Zhang, Yupeng Zhang, Guanshui Ma, Shenghao Zhou, Zhenyu Wang∗, Aiying Wang∗

Ti/TiAlN multilayer coatings with a gradient transition composite soft/hard alternating laminated structure were prepared on the surfaces of titanium alloys using arc ion plating technology. Micropillar compression and foreign object damage tests were used to investigate the microstructural evolution and mechanisms of mechanical property enhancement. The findings revealed that the coatings exhibited an adhesion strength exceeding 72 N, a hardness and elastic modulus of 25.1 GPa and 304.3 GPa, respectively. The impact depth of the coatings was reduced by over 20 % in comparison with to the uncoated substrate. The enhanced resistance of the coatings to foreign object damage is primarily attributed to the hard TiAlN layer, which exhibits resistance to the cutting action of low-angle erosion particles. Concurrently, the soft Ti layer facilitates deformation at higher angles, thereby promoting plastic deformation. Furthermore, the ceramic layer evidenced a decrease in stress concentration through mechanisms including grain refinement, transgranular microcrack propagation, and intergranular extension. The ductile layer served to enhance toughness by dissipating strain energy through mechanisms such as deformation twinning and dislocation generation.

URL：https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2025.06.029