Dataset: Columnar grain boundaries are the weakest link in hard coatings: insights from micro-cantilever testing

README – Dataset for columnar grain boundaries are the weakest link in hard coatings: insights from micro-cantilever testing


1. General Information

    •   Title: Dataset for columnar grain boundaries are the weakest link in hard coatings: insights from micro-cantilever testing

    •   Authors: Yinxia Zhang, Matthias Bartosik, Steffen Brinckmann, Subin Lee, Christoph Kirchlechner

    •   Contact: yinxia.zhang@kit.edu

    •   Date of dataset creation: 2025

    •   Version: 1.0


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2. Description


This dataset accompanies the publication:


Columnar grain boundaries are the weakest link in hard coatings: insights from micro-cantilever testing (2025)

Materials Research Letters, 13 (11), pp. 1099 - 1107.

https://doi.org/10.1080/21663831.2025.2560526


The dataset includes:

    •   Load-displacement data from each microcantilever (converted to accessible .txt format).

    •   Geometrical parameters of tested cantilevers (Excel file).


Cantilevers from two different materials were investigated:

    1.  CrN/AlN multilayered hard coatings on Si

    2.  CrN/AlN multilayered hard coatings on MgO
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3. Contents

    •   raw_data/ – Load–displacement data of each cantilever (converted from .hys to .txt).

    •   cantilever_geometry.xlsx – Summary of cantilever geometrical parameters.

    •   README.md – Documentation file.


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4. Methodology

    •   Experimental setup:

Microcantilever bending tests were performed with a Bruker Hysitron PI89 indenter equipped with a low-load transducer.

    •   Data recording:

Original raw files were stored in proprietary .hys format. For accessibility, all data were converted to plain-text .txt format.

    •   Tested materials:

        •   CrN/AlN multilayered hard coatings on Si

        •   CrN/AlN multilayered hard coatings on MgO


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5. File Formats

    •   .txt – ASCII text files containing load-displacement curves.

    •   .xlsx – Microsoft Excel file summarizing geometrical parameters.


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6. Usage Notes

    •   The .txt files can be opened with any text editor or processed with scientific software (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Origin).

    •   The Excel file provides cantilever dimensions, which should be considered for data interpretation.

    •   For proper context and interpretation, please refer to the associated publication.


License: CC-BY-4.0


Citation:

If you use this dataset, please cite both the dataset and the associated publication:


Zhang Y., Bartosik M., Brinckmann S., Bansal U., Lee S., Kirchlechner C. Columnar grain boundaries are the weakest link in hard coatings: insights from micro-cantilever testing (2025) Materials Research Letters, 13 (11), pp. 1099 - 1107. https://doi.org/10.1080/21663831.2025.2560526


Zhang, Y., Bartosik, M., Brinckmann, S., Bansal, U., Lee, S., & Kirchlechner, C. (2025). Dataset: Columnar grain boundaries are the weakest link in hard coatings: insights from micro-cantilever testing. Zenodo

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17767118


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7. Related Resources

    •   Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21663831.2025.2560526


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8. Acknowledgements


This work was supported by:

    •   Austrian Science Fund (FWF), Project I4720

    •   German Research Foundation (DFG), Project 436506789


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