Improvement of structure and quality of nanoscale multilayered composite coatings, deposited by filtered cathodic vacuum arc deposition method

Abstract

This article studies the specific features of cathode vacuum arc deposition of coatings used in the production of cutting tools. The detailed analysis of the major drawbacks of arc-Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) methods has contributed to the development of the processes of filtered cathodic vacuum arc deposition to form nanoscale multilayered composite coatings of increased efficiency. This is achieved through the formation of nanostructure, increase in strength of adhesion of coating to substrate up to 20%, and reduction of such dangerous coating surface defects as macro- and microdroplets up to 80%. This article presents the results of the studies of various properties of developed nanoscale multilayered composite coating. The certification tests of carbide tool equipped with cutting inserts with developed nanoscale multilayered composite coating compositions in longitudinal turning (continuous cutting) and end symmetric milling, and intermittent cutting of steel C45 and hard-to-cut nickel alloy of NiCr20TiAl showed advantages of tool with nanoscale multilayered composite coating as compared to the tool without coating. The lifetime of the carbide inserts with developed NMCC based on the system of Ti–TiN–(NbZrTiCr)N (filtered cathodic vacuum arc deposition) was increased up to 5–6 times in comparison with the control tools without coatings and up to 1.5–2.0 times in comparison with nanoscale multilayered composite coating based on the system of Ti–TiN–(NbZrTiCr)N (standard arc-PVD technology).