Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T21:42:50.687Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Growth, Structure and Stress of DC Magnetron Sputtered TiB2 Thin Films

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

H. Deng
Affiliation:
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487–0202
J. Chen
Affiliation:
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487–0202
R. B. Inturi
Affiliation:
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487–0202
J. A. Barnard
Affiliation:
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487–0202
Get access

Abstract

TiB2 is a very hard refractory compound that strongly resists erosion and shows metallic luster and good electrical conductivity. It has potential applications in protective coating systems. This paper investigates the microstructure and stresses of as-deposited TiB2 thin films ranging from 2000 °A to 4000 °A thick produced by dc magnetron sputtering as a function of sputtering power and Ar pressure. Three power levels: 100, 400, 600 W, and four pressures: 3, 5, 8, and 12 mTorr were used. X-ray diffraction studies indicate that two types of crystalline structure are formed: a randomly oriented fine crystalline structure and a coarser grained (001) textured structure, depending on the sputtering power and pressure. As-deposited stresses at different powers all show a transition from compression to tension as the Ar pressure increases. The relationship between the processing parameters, microstructure and residual stresses is discussed. The effects of the deposition power and pressure on the residual stress transition of TiB2 thin films are clearly mapped out by 3-D and contour maps.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

[1] Mullendore, A. W., Mattox, D. W., Whitley, J. B. and Sharp, D. J., Thin Solid Films, 63, 243, (1979).Google Scholar
[2] Becker, A. J. and Blanks, J. H., Thin Solid Films, 119, 241, (1984).Google Scholar
[3] Mullendore, A. W., Whitley, J. B., Pierson, H. O. and Mattox, D. M., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. 18, 1049, (1981).Google Scholar
[4] Mattox, D. M., Thin Solid Films, 63, 213, (1979).Google Scholar
[5] Pierson, H. O. and Mullendore, A. W., Thin Solid Films, 95,99, (1982).Google Scholar
[6] Chen, J. and Barnard, J. A., in press, Materials Science and Engineering A Google Scholar
[7] Thornton, J. and Hoffman, D. W., Thin Solid Films, 171, 124, (1989).Google Scholar
[8] Hoffman, D. W., J. Vac. Sci. Technol, 20(3), 355, (1982).Google Scholar
[9] Hoffman, D. W. and Kukla, C. M., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A, 3(6), 2600, (1985).Google Scholar
[10] d’Herule, F. M. Met. Trans. 1, 725, (1970).Google Scholar
[11] Thormton, J. and Hoffman, D. W., J. Vac. Sci. Technol, 14, 164, (1977).Google Scholar