Figure 10
From: Toughening Fe-based Amorphous Coatings by Reinforcement of Amorphous Carbon

SEM fracturing morphologies after fatigue tests and schematic diagrams depicting the cracking behaviors (a) the amorphous coating and (b) the composite coating with carbon. In amorphous coating, the crack propagates through the pores or defects and easily penetrates the whole coating. But in composite coating, the crack propagation could be hindered by ductile carbon particles, which is therefore difficult for developing through-wall crack in the whole coating.