Metallurgical Characteristics of TiAlN/AlCrN Coating Synthesized by the PVD Process on a Cutting Insert

• Published in: Journal of materials engineering and performance Vol. 23; no. 8; pp. 2877 - 2884
• Main Authors: Sampath Kumar, T., Balasivanandha Prabu, S., Manivasagam, Geetha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.08.2014; Springer
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Corrosion and Coatings; Engineering Design; Exact sciences and technology; Materials Science; Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter; Mechanical properties of solids; Physics; Quality Control; Reliability; Safety and Risk; Tribology; Tribology and hardness; cathodic arc vapor deposition; thin film coatings; AFM; nanoindentation; SEM; scratch test; corrosion resistance; Scratching test; Cutting tools; Inorganic compounds; Surface coating; Surface morphology; Nanoindentation; Roughness; Hardness; Young modulus; Cutting; Nitrides; Carbide tool; Physical vapor deposition; Microstructure; Plasma deposition
• ISSN: 1059-9495; 1544-1024
• DOI: 10.1007/s11665-014-1057-x

TiAlN/AlCrN coating was deposited on a tungsten carbide insert, using the plasma-enhanced physical vapor deposition (PEPVD) process. The microstructure of the coating was examined and it was found that the TiAlN/AlCrN coating was uniform, highly dense, and less porous. The different phases formed in the coating were analyzed using the x-ray diffraction. The hardness and scratch resistance were measured using the nanoindentation tester and scratch tester, respectively. TiAlN/AlCrN exhibited higher hardness, higher Young’s modulus, and superior scratch resistance when compared to the conventional coatings, such as TiAlN, AlCrN, and TiN. The surface morphology of the coating was characterized using the atomic force microscope (AFM). The surface roughness was found to be lesser in the TiAlN/AlCrN coating. The TiAlN/AlCrN coating has proved to have better corrosion resistance, compared to the uncoated carbide substrate.