Abstract
CrAlN coatings are the foremost coating material used for automotive applications where mechanical properties such as hardness, roughness, adhesion are significant. In this research work thin film CrAlN coating is deposited by PVD magnetron sputtering technique and to evaluate the mechanical properties of CrAlN coating on Al-Si piston alloy. The microstructural, topographical analysis and composition of CrAlN coatings were examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images were taken from the substrate surface before and after the coating. The scratch adhesion of film-to-substrate was measured by using scratch machine.