20.500.12556/RUL-185929 Microstructure and tribological characterization of coated PEEK-based polymers This study investigates the tribological performance of chromium nitride (CrN)-coated polyether ether ketone (PEEK) polymers. CrN coating was deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) onto two commercially available substrates: neat PEEK and a modified PEEK. The suitability of the coated substrates for tribological applications was evaluated using ball-on-disc tests against stainless-steel (SS) counterparts. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the high thermal stability of the PEEK substrates, ensuring compatibility with low-temperature coating deposition. Microstructural analysis revealed dense and continuous CrN coatings with an average thickness of ~1.5 µm on both substrates. Tribological results of selected PEEK-based polymers showed that under the applied load of 2 N, uncoated PEEK substrates exhibited lower coefficients of friction (COFs) and smoother wear tracks compared with coated samples. In contrast, under the applied load of 4 N, CrN-coated PEEK substrates demonstrated reduced friction and improved stability relative to uncoated PEEK. This behavior is attributed to load-induced tribo-oxidation and the formation of a chromium-oxide-rich tribolayer that stabilized the sliding interface and suppressed adhesive wear. Overall, the results demonstrate that CrN coatings significantly enhance the load-bearing capacity and tribological performance of selected PEEK substrates under applied load of 4 N, highlighting their potential for advanced lightweight engineering applications requiring improved wear resistance. coated PEEK CrN tribological performance coating friction and wear prevlečen PEEK CrN tribološke lastnosti trenje in obraba prevleke true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2026-08-24 08:52:52 2026-08-24 08:53:00 2026-08-25 04:17:39 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2026 0 0 Str. 1-22 issue 8, art. 899 Vol. 16 2026 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 539.92:678.7 2079-6412 10.3390/coatings16080899 288588547 Al-Rjoub_..._Microstructure_....pdf Al-Rjoub_..._Microstructure_....pdf 1 74AA6DD1DC18787B49F62B60E5302D5B 02815becee21c0730ec9b7a079401907602f795d9e3e958af56f6235d1933639 471b2c1c-9f88-11f1-9b0d-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=244940 https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/16/8/899 1 0c492bca-9f88-11f1-9b0d-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=244939 Fakulteta za strojništvo 0 0 0