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Free keywords:
Aluminum; Annealing; Hardening; Hardness; Mechanical properties; Phase separation; Thin films, Annealed state; B matrixes; Columnar microstructures; Grain interiors; Hardness and elastic modulus; High hardness; Post deposition annealing; Titanium diboride, Age hardening
Abstract:
Thin films of (Ti0.71Al0.29)B2 + 1.08 have been deposited by magnetron sputtering. Post-deposition annealing at 1000 °C for 1 h results in increased hardness and elastic modulus, from 32 to 37 GPa and from 436 to 461 GPa, respectively. In both as-deposited and annealed states the films adhere well to the substrate, indicating no considerable internal stress. The initial high hardness is attributed to a columnar microstructure consisting of crystalline (Ti,Al)B2 columns separated by an amorphous B matrix. The observed age hardening corresponds to phase separation within the (Ti,Al)B2 columns including the formation of Ti-deficient crystallites within the grain interior upon annealing. © 2016 Acta Materialia Inc.