Hardening ion plasma coatings (Ti, Alx)N (x = 3 at. %) for carbide cutting tools

Abstract

Abstract Coatings (Ti, Al0,03)N and comparison samples – coatings (Ti, Al0,25)N and TiN are formed by the arc-PVD method on the WC-Co carbide alloy. The phase composition, the substructure characteristics and the mechanical properties of the coatings were investigated. The addition of Al and its increase in the coating composition is accompanied by a decrease in the value of the lattice parameter, refinement of the coatings subgrain structure and an increase in both microstrains and macrostresses. At the same time, the hardness of the coatings and the values of the parameters H3/E2 and H/E increase with a decrease in the relative work of plastic deformation of the samples, which is a characteristic of their viscosity. Durability tests were carried out using a cutting tools with the investigated coatings showed the advantage of the (Ti,Al0.25)N coating in continuous turning operations. The (Ti,Al0.03)N coating is characterized by increased resistance compared to other tested coatings in milling operations and compared to TiN coating in continuous cutting.