Novel Nanocomposite Coatings

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis of Si-containing hard nanocomposite coatings based on transition metal nitrides by plasma-based thin film processing. Full versatility of these nanocomposites is demonstrated for low Si-containing coatings tailored with superior mechanical properties and novel high Si-containing nanocomposite coatings with extraordinary thermal stability and resistance against oxidation optimized for high-temperature applications. A special attention is paid to understanding growth mechanisms of these structures under specific deposition conditions, structure-property relations and stability of individual constituents to enhance their functionality for various applications.