in graphite or amorphous form.
● All the studied coatings have a comparable micro-
hardness (HV0.025s 2500). Cr–C and carbon rich
Cr–(C,N) have peak at approximately 75 cm ymin, 3
while the rest above 125 cm ymin. The adhesion of 3
Cr–(C,N) coatings is inferior to Cr–N and Cr–C.
● The oxidation resistance of sputter-deposited coatings
is up to one order of magnitude better than the
evaporation-deposited ones. In the former case, the
resistance to oxidation increases with the atomic ratio
of nitrogen, while in the latter case the resistance of
the binary coatings Cr–N and Cr–C is better than the
ternary coatings Cr–(C,N). During oxidation of Cr–N,
nitrogen is being enriched in the outer sublayer of
the coating and diffuses towards the surface. At the
Cr–C coatings, carbon probably oxidizes and either
form gaseous voids or releases into environment.