TiN thin films were fabricated using an unbalanced magnetron sputtering (UBMS) system, and their structure and surface characteristics as well as their optical and tribological properties were evaluated. The hardness, elastic modulus, adhesive force, surface roughness, and transmittance of the Ti thin films fabricated using the UBMS system were 11.5 GPa, 103 GPa, 27.5 N, 2.45 nm and 20%, respectively. The TiN films prepared with various proportions of nitrogen as the reaction gas exhibited maximum values for the hardness, elastic modulus, critical load, RMS roughness and transmittance of approximately 19.2 GPa, 182 GPa, 27.3 N, 0.98 nm, and 85%, respectively. Moreover, the TiN thin film fabricated under the condition of 30 sccm nitrogen gas showed the optimal physical properties. In summary, the TiN thin films fabricated using the UBMS system exhibited excellent hardness, elastic modulus, adhesion, and smooth surface in addition to good hydrophilic properties.
