Recent progress in hard nanocomposite coatings

Increasingly, nanoparticles, for example of silicon, titanium or zirconium in the form of their nitrides or oxides, are used to improve the properties of coatings. The modification in coating properties resulting from this (e.g. increased hardness) depends, among other factors, on particle size and tends to show a maximum for a given particle diameter. Furthermore, the incorporation of nanoparticles into the structure of a coating can change its mechanical properties. As a result, for example, the ease of oxidation of a material can be changed as can its recrystallisation behavior.