Structure and Properties of SnO2–In2O3–Ag–N Coatings Formed by a Complex Method on Copper

The aim of this work is to analyze the structure and properties of a coating of the SnO2–In2O3–Ag–N composition formed on copper by a complex method combining electroexplosive spraying, irradiation with a pulsed electron beam, followed by nitriding in the plasma of a low-pressure gas discharge. It is shown that the thickness of the coating is ≈100 μm. The wear resistance of a coated copper specimen exceeds that of uncoated copper by a factor of 2.8. The friction coefficient of the coated specimens is μ = 0.479, which is a factor of 1.4 lower than that of uncoated copper μ = 0.679 ± 0.048. It is found out that hardness of the coating increases closer to the substrate and reaches a maximum value of ≈ 1400 ± 98 MPa (the substrate hardness is 1270 MPa). According to the micro X-ray spectral analysis, the main chemical element of the coating is silver; copper, tin, indium, oxygen and nitrogen are present in much smaller amounts. It is revealed by the XRD analysis that the main phases of the coating are copper- and silver-based solid solutions.