Franc Zupanič

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of different coating materials on the POM substrate. Specifically, it investigated physical vapour deposition (PVD) coatings of aluminium (Al), chromium (Cr), and chromium nitride (CrN) of three various thicknesses. The deposition of Al was accomplished through a three-step process, particularly plasma activation, metallisation of Al by magnetron sputtering, and plasma polymerisation. The deposition of Cr was attained using the magnetron sputtering technique in a single step. For the deposition of CrN, a two-step process was employed. The first step involved the metallisation of Cr using magnetron sputtering, while the second step involved the vapour deposition of CrN, obtained through the reactive metallisation of Cr and nitrogen using magnetron sputtering. The focus of the research was to conduct comprehensive indentation tests to obtain the surface hardness of the analysed multilayer coatings, SEM analyses to examine surface morphology, and thorough adhesion analyses between the POM substrate and the appropriate PVD coating.