Impact of metal/ceramic interactions on interfacial shear strength: Study of Cr/TiN using a new modified embedded-atom potential

The effect of misfit dislocation networks (MDNs) on the stability and shear strength of Cr/TiN was investigated using a newly developed modified embedded atom model parameterized to pure Cr, CrTi, CrN, and Cr/TiN interfacial properties. The interfacial energy was lowest when the MDN was located in the Cr layer adjacent to the chemical interface, which also had the largest dislocation core widths. This was consistent with generalized stacking fault energies, which had lower energy barriers between the first and second Cr layers next to the chemical interface. As the MDN moved away from the interface, dislocation core widths consistently decreased along with the interfacial energy. For all positions of MDNs, shear failure occurred in the ceramic, between the first and second TiN layers next to the chemical interface. The lowest shear strength was found for the system with the MDN in the first Cr layer with respect to the chemical interface. Only for this particular configuration was there a significant plastic deformation present.