Size effect in the bilayer coatings of titanium-carbon. 1. The influence of thickness of titanium interlayer on the structure and properties of carbon layer

The influence regularities of the thickness of titanium interlayer on the phase composition and mechanical properties of titanium-carbon bilayer coatings have been determined. The strongest catalytic effect of titanium interlayer is presented in its thickness up to 30–45 nm. At the thickness range the bilayer coatings possess the highest concentration of $\mathrm{sp^3}$-hybridization carbon, microhardness, transparency and optical bandgap. As the thickness of the interlayer increases the internal stress monotonically decreases and, it is not changed when the thickness exceeds 40 nm.