Transition metal carbide
nanocomposite and
amorphous thin films
Olof Tengstrand
Linköping Studies in Science and Technology Dissertations No. 1576
Ol
of T
en
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ran
d
T
ran
siti
on m
eta
l c
arb
ide n
an
oc
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po
site a
nd a
m
orp
ho
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lm
s
20
14
Linköping Studies in Science and Technology No. 1576, 2014 Thin Film Physics Division
Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
www.liu.se
This thesis investigates thin surface coatings consisting of advanced nanocomposites deposited by magnetron sputtering. I describe how structure and composition of such materials can affect their electrical and mechanical properties. This is important in order to tailor and optimize the properties of a functional surface intended for electrical contacts. The investigated materials are built up by one of the metals zirconium, niobium or titanium which together with carbon forms a composite material. The composite consists of nanometer sized carbide grains surrounded by amorphous carbon. I also add silicon and germanium in order to further alter the material properties. The thesis also shows how an amorphous material crystallizes during observation by electron microscopy, an important artefact to be considered but also an alternative way to form nanocomposites.
Transition metal carbide
nanocomposite and
amorphous thin films
Olof Tengstrand
Linköping Studies in Science and Technology Dissertations No. 1576
Ol
of T
en
gst
ran
d
T
ran
siti
on m
eta
l c
arb
ide n
an
oc
om
po
site a
nd a
m
orp
ho
us t
hin fi
lm
s
20
14
Linköping Studies in Science and Technology No. 1576, 2014 Thin Film Physics Division
Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
www.liu.se
This thesis investigates thin surface coatings consisting of advanced nanocomposites deposited by magnetron sputtering. I describe how structure and composition of such materials can affect their electrical and mechanical properties. This is important in order to tailor and optimize the properties of a functional surface intended for electrical contacts. The investigated materials are built up by one of the metals zirconium, niobium or titanium which together with carbon forms a composite material. The composite consists of nanometer sized carbide grains surrounded by amorphous carbon. I also add silicon and germanium in order to further alter the material properties. The thesis also shows how an amorphous material crystallizes during observation by electron microscopy, an important artefact to be considered but also an alternative way to form nanocomposites.
