Substrate pre-treatment of cemented carbides using abrasive flow machining and laser beam ablation

A significant driver in research activities of manufacturers and university institutions is the improvement of tool life for cutting tools. Recent publications have shown that the substrate pre-treatment prior to coating as well as defined rounding of cutting edges are key factors for cutting tool life. Different technologies are used for substrate pre-treatment, depending on the machining task, flexibility of the process and economic aspects. However regarding the surface quality two opposing requirements come into conflict. While high surface quality supports the chip removal during machining, the film adhesion between substrate and coating is greater on rough surfaces. This paper presents a comparison of the abrasive flow machining (AFM) and laser ablation technologies as pre-treatment processes for cemented carbides. With respect to the relevant processing parameters, the effects of a pre-treatment using AFM and laser ablation on roughness, surface topography, mechanical activation and chemical composition have been determined.     

微铣刀制备技术与实验研究

微铣刀制备技术是微细铣削的关键技术之一,对微细铣削加工出的微小零部件的特征尺寸和表面质量有重要影响。从微铣刀具的材料与涂层及其制造工艺两方面,对微铣刀制备技术进行了介绍,并通过线电极电火花磨削方法制备了刀头直径为100μm的微铣刀,初步验证了基于自研μEM-200CDS2微细组合电加工机床开展微铣刀在位制备的能力。     

Surface integrity assessment of laser treated and subsequently coated cemented carbides

Cemented carbides, referred to as hardmetals, are forefront engineering materials widely implemented in industry for chip-removal cutting tools and supporting parts. As a newly developed technology for surface modification with high precision, the application of short pulse laser may extend the utilization of cemented carbides. However, surface integrity of laser-treated materials may be affected during the ablation phenomena. These potential changes may also be relevant for subsequent coating deposition, a surface modification stage usually invoked in many cutting and forming tools. It is the objective of this work to study the influence of a previous laser treatment on the surface integrity of a cemented carbide grade, finally coated by a ceramic layer introduced by physical vapor deposition. In doing so, a nanosecond laser has been employed. Surface integrity is assessed in terms of roughness, hardness, and microstructural changes induced at the subsurface level. It is found that pulse laser can effectively remove the target material, resulting roughness being similar to that attained by abrasive grinding. Although some subsurface damage is observed, it is limited to a very shallow layer, this being thoroughly eliminated during sandblasting implemented before coating deposition. Relative hardness increase is larger for laser treated substrate than for just polished one, reason behind it being speculated to come from the sandblasting stage used for removing damaged layer.     

高能离子刻蚀前处理对AlTiSiN涂层切削性能的影响

目的提高AlTiSiN涂层与刀具基材的结合强度,降低涂层表面的粗糙度,减少切削过程中涂层的剥落,改善涂层刀具的切削寿命。方法采用离子源增强的多弧离子镀设备刻蚀清理基体材料,并制备AlTiSiN涂层。利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、粗糙度仪、划痕仪和铣削实验探讨涂层沉积前不同Ar离子刻蚀清洗工艺对AlTiSiN涂层结构、膜基结合力和涂层表面形貌的的影响,探究不同刻蚀清洗工艺对涂层刀具切削机理和切削性能的影响。结果 AlTiSiN涂层的相结构主要由(Al,Ti)N固溶体相组成,涂层沿着基体呈现柱状生长。随着高能Ar离子刻蚀电流由40 A增加至100 A,涂层的表面粗糙度降低,Ra值由140 nm降至69 nm,Sq值由226 nm降至117 nm;涂层与基体之间的结合强度增加,Lc2由41 N增加至52 N;切削加工DC53模具钢结果显示,当清洗电流增加至100 A,涂层的剥落几率降低,涂层刀具的切削寿命增加,由11 m增加至23 m。结论高能离子刻蚀前处理过程可有效增加涂层与基体之间的结合强度,降低涂层表面粗糙度,进而提高涂层刀具的切削寿命。刻蚀清洗所用电流强度越大,清洗效果越好,刀具涂层切削性能提高越明显。     

Adaption of graded Cr/CrN-interlayer thickness to cemented carbide substrates' roughness for improving the adhesion of HPPMS PVD films and the cutting performance

High Power Pulsed Magnetron Sputtering (HPPMS) techniques jointly with the deposition of a graded Cr/CrN-nanointerlayer on cutting inserts can increase the film adhesion and consequently the tool life. These improvements depend on the roughness of the employed cemented carbide substrates. The investigations described in the present paper intend to explain the effect of Cr/CrN-interlayer thickness and substrate roughness on the coating adhesion and cutting performance. To attain various roughnesses, the applied cemented carbide inserts were superficially treated. These treatments were grinding at a medium roughness level, or grinding with subsequent polishing for enhancing the surface integrity and finally, in all cases, micro-blasting by fine Al₂O₃ grains. After Ar-ion etching, graded Cr/CrN adhesive layers with different thicknesses were deposited by HPPMS technology on the variously pretreated substrates. Subsequently, an approximately 3 μm thick (Ti,Al)N film was deposited by HPPMS PVD on all used inserts. Rockwell C indentations and inclined impact tests were performed to assess qualitatively and quantitatively the films' adhesion. The cutting performance of the coated tools was investigated in milling of 42CrMo4 QT. FEM supported calculations of the developed stresses during the material removal process contributed in explaining the obtained tool wear results. In these calculations, the adhesion, dependent on the substrate roughness characteristics and on the adhesive interlayer thickness, was taken into account. The results revealed that the effectiveness of HPPMS adhesive graded Cr/CrN-nanointerlayer strongly depends on the substrate surface integrity and on the interlayer thickness. Thus, the film adhesion and consequently the cutting performance can be significantly improved if the interlayer thickness is adapted to the substrate roughness.     

Adhesion analysis and dry machining performance of CVD diamond coatings deposited on surface modified WC-Co turning inserts

This paper investigates the effects of different surface pretreatments on the adhesion and performance of CVD diamond coated WC-Co turning inserts for the dry machining of high silicon aluminum alloys. Different interfacial characteristics between the diamond coatings and the modified WC-Co substrate were obtained by the use of two different chemical etchings and a CrN/Cr interlayer, with the aim to produce an adherent diamond coating by increasing the interlocking effect of the diamond film, and halting the catalytic effect of the cobalt present on the cemented carbide tool. A systematic study is analyzed in terms of the initial cutting tool surface modifications, the deposition and characterization of microcrystalline diamond coatings deposited by HFCVD synthesis, the estimation of the resulting diamond adhesion by Rockwell indentations and Raman spectroscopy, and finally, the evaluation of the dry machining performance of the diamond coated tools on A390 aluminum alloys. The experiments show that chemical etching methods exceed the effect of the CrN/Cr interlayer in increasing the diamond coating adhesion under dry cutting operations. This work provided new insights about optimizing the surface characteristics of cemented carbides to produce adherent diamond coatings in the dry cutting manufacturing chain of high silicon aluminum alloys.     

碳源浓度对金刚石薄膜涂层刀具性能的影响

用热丝ＣＶＤ法,以丙酮为碳源,在ＷＣ－Ｃｏ硬质合金衬底上沉积金刚石薄膜,研究了碳源浓度对金刚石薄膜涂层刀具性能的影响,结果表明,碳源浓度对金刚石涂层薄膜质量、形貌和粗糙度、薄膜与衬底间的附着力、刀具的耐用度用度发削性能有显著影响,合理控制碳源浓度对获得实用化的在硬质合金刀具基础上沉积高附着强度、低粗糙度金刚石薄膜的新技术具有重要的意义。     

涂层刀具微喷砂表面处理技术的进展

介绍了微喷砂表面处理技术进展及工作原理,分析了微喷砂处理对涂层刀具表面完整性、切削性能的影响。研究发现,微喷砂能够改善涂层刀具表面的粗糙度并提高涂层表面的残余压应力,进而提升刀具的切削性能并延长使用寿命。总结了微喷砂表面处理技术对涂层刀具表面的影响,并且对微喷砂表面处理技术进行了展望。研究结果为涂层刀具的表面处理和绿色智能制造提供了参考。     

化学预处理对微型钻头沉积类金刚石薄膜附着力的影响

在刀具上沉积类金刚石(DLC)薄膜的关键技术问题是如何提高DLC薄膜的附着力,以发挥DLC薄膜在刀具涂层领域的优势。本文通过对微型钻头表面进行不同的化学预处理后利用射频等离子体化学气相沉法沉积DLC薄膜,对影响膜基附着力的内在规律进行了探讨。结果表明:采用简单酸碱腐蚀(先后使用NaOH溶液和HNO3溶液进行腐蚀)对DLC薄膜附着力的提高有一定作用,而综合腐蚀(首先使用酸碱腐蚀,然后使用Murakami试剂腐蚀)的效果更佳;此外,使用Murakami试剂腐蚀时间过长(超过6 min)会影响钻头本体的机械强度。实验结果对于DLC薄膜作为微型钻头涂层的应用具有很好的指导意义。     

DLC膜涂层硬质合金刀具的研究进展

类金刚石(DLC)膜涂层刀具的硬度高、摩擦系数低、耐摩擦和耐腐蚀性能强、抗粘结性能好,并且可以用来制作复杂、异型刀具,是未来刀具的一个重要发展方向。本文介绍了DLC膜的表面显微结构和Raman光谱并列举了DLC的制备方法 (包括磁控溅射、离子束沉积、脉冲激光沉积、真空阴极电弧沉积、等离子体增强型化学气相沉积)与分类。从酸蚀法、施加过渡层、表面微喷砂处理和掺杂4个方面分析如何提高膜基结合力,探讨了DLC膜的摩擦性能受湿度、温度和加工条件的影响。例举了几个国内外DLC涂层硬质合金刀具的使用范例,指出了目前研究工作的不足之处,提出了下一步研究工作的重点是优化DLC膜的制备工艺、提高膜基结合力和热稳定性以及加强DLC涂层硬质合金刀具的磨损机理研究。     

New adhesion measurement technique for coated cutting tool materials

Adhesion properties of wear resistant coatings on cutting tool materials are essential to their performance in technical applications. It is therefore necessary to characterize the coating adhesion by an appropriate measurement technique which reveals both critical adhesion values as well as information on time dependent debonding. In particular, a quantitative and reproducible technique is required rather than largely qualitative methods such as indent or scratch tests. In addition, for multilayer coatings, the location of the weakest interface is required to facilitate improvement of interfacial integrity. Accordingly a sandwich double cantilever beam (DCB) test was developed and used to measure the adhesion properties of coatings on cermets. Additionally, the structure of the coatings in the as fabricated state and after mechanical testings were characterized by optical microscopy, SEM and TEM. With quantitative adhesion measurements and investigations of the interface microstructure, a comprehensive characterization of coating adhesion on cutting toolmaterials was achieved.     

TiAlN,TiAlSiN涂层的制备及其切削性能

目的研究TiAlN及TiAlSiN涂层的微观结构及力学性能,以及硬质合金涂层刀具切削SUS304不锈钢的切削性能及磨损行为。方法采用阴极电弧离子镀技术在硬质合金试片及铣刀上分别制备纳微米TiAlN及TiAlSiN涂层。通过X射线荧光测量系统测量涂层的厚度,用扫描电镜(SEM)观察涂层表面形貌,用能谱仪(EDAX)分析涂层元素成分,用X射线衍射(XRD)分析涂层晶相结构,用纳米压痕仪表征涂层硬度,用洛氏硬度计定性测量涂层结合力,通过高速铣削试验探究涂层刀具的切削性能及磨损行为。结果 TiAlN及TiAlSiN涂层的厚度分别为3.32μm和3.35μm,表面致密、光滑,高分辨率(20 000×)下观察到涂层表面有液滴、针孔及凹坑存在。Si元素促进了Ti N(200)晶相的生长,晶粒尺寸减小,硬度增加。TiAlN及TiAlSiN涂层的显微硬度分别为29.6 GPa及37.7 GPa,结合力分别满足VDI-3198工业标准的HF3和HF1等级。在130 m/min的高速切削条件下,TiAlSiN涂层刀具寿命约为未涂层刀具的5倍,TiAlN涂层刀具的1.5倍。结论 Si掺杂制备的TiAlSiN涂层具有高的硬度及良好的抗粘附性,更适用于不锈钢材料的高速切削加工。     

Analyzing the performance of diamond-coated micro end mills

A method is presented to improve the tool life and cutting performance of 300 μm diameter tungsten carbide (WC) micro end mills by applying thin (<300 nm) fine-grained diamond (FGD) and nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) coatings using the hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HF-CVD) process. The performance of the diamond-coated tools has been evaluated by comparing their performance in dry slot milling of 6061-T6 aluminum against uncoated WC micro end mills. Tool wear, coating integrity, and chip morphology were characterized using SEM and white light interferometry. The initial test results show a dramatic improvement in the tool integrity (i.e., corners not breaking off), a lower wear rate, no observable adhesion of aluminum to the diamond-coated tool, and a significant reduction in the cutting forces (>50%). Reduction of the cutting forces is attributed to the low friction and adhesion of the diamond coating. However, approximately 80% of the tools coated with the larger FGD coatings failed during testing due to delamination. Additional machining benefits were attained for the NCD films, which was obtained by using a higher nucleation density seeding process for diamond growth. This process allowed for thinner, smaller grained diamond coatings to be deposited on the micro end mills, and enabled continued operation of the tool even after the integrity of the diamond coating had been compromised. As opposed to the FGD-coated end mills, only 40% of the NCD-tools experienced delamination issues.     

Analytical and numerical solutions of transient heat conduction in monolayer-coated tools

The heat generation during metal cutting processes affects accuracy of the machined surface and strongly influences tool wear and tool life. Knowledge of the ways in which the tool material affects the temperature distribution is therefore essential for the study of thermal effects on tool life and workpiece quality. Many studies have been done on simulation temperature distribution in coated cutting tools by means of the finite element method or the finite difference method.In this study, a thermal analytical model is firstly developed to determine temperature distribution in monolayer-coated cutting tools during orthogonal metal cutting. In the analytical model one equivalent heat source applied on the coating layer boundary substitutes for the heat generation introduced from the primary deformation zone, the secondary deformation and the frictional zone along the tool–chip interface as well as the tertiary or the sliding frictional zone at tool–workpiece interface. A mathematical model of the transient heat conduction in monolayer-coated tools is then proposed. The temperature distribution formulations in monolayer-coated tools are obtained using Laplace transform. The influence of different parameters including thermophysical properties of tool coating and tool substrate and thickness of the coating layer on temperature distribution in monolayer-coated tools is lastly discussed and illustrated.     

Cold Gas-Sprayed Deposition of Metallic Coatings onto Ceramic Substrates Using Laser Surface Texturing Pre-treatment

Cold spraying enables a variety of metals dense coatings onto metal surfaces. Supersonic gas jet accelerates particles which undergo with the substrate plastic deformation. Different bonding mechanisms can be created depending on the materials. The particle–substrate contact time, contact temperature and contact area upon impact are the parameters influencing physicochemical and mechanical bonds. The resultant bonding arose from plastic deformation of the particle and substrate and temperature increasing at the interface. The objective was to create specific topography to enable metallic particle adhesion onto ceramic substrates. Ceramic did not demonstrate deformation during the impact which minimized the intimate bonds. Laser surface texturing was hence used as prior surface treatment to create specific topography and to enable mechanical anchoring. Particle compressive states were necessary to build up coating. The coating deposition efficiency and adhesion strength were evaluated. Textured surface is required to obtain strong adhesion of metallic coatings onto ceramic substrates. Consequently, cold spray coating parameters depend on the target material and a methodology was established with particle parameters (diameters, velocities, temperatures) and particle/substrate properties to adapt the surface topography. Laser surface texturing is a promising tool to increase the cold spraying applications.     

Micro-blasting of PVD Films, an Effective Way to Increase the Cutting Performance of Coated Cemented Carbide Tools

This paper investigates the feasibility of increasing the wear resistance of cemented carbide tools through micro-blasting of their PVD-coatings. The enhanced and graded film strength properties before and after micro-blasting are determined by means of a FEM-based evaluation of nanoindentation results. The coating topomorphy, induced by micro-blasting, was monitored and correlated to the substrate roughness and film adhesion. The cutting performance of inserts, coated with micro-blasted films, was investigated in milling and explained with the aid of a cutting process FEM simulation. The obtained results reveal a tool life growth through micro-blasting of coatings, deposited on substrates with appropriate roughness characteristics.     

Role of Powder Granulometry and Substrate Topography in Adhesion Strength of Thermal Spray Coatings

APS coating is deposited with different treated surfaces to understand the effects of surface topography and particle sizes on adhesion bond strength. Grit blasting and laser surface texturing have been used to create a controlled roughness and controlled surface topography, respectively. Coating adhesion is mainly controlled by a mechanical interlocking mechanism. Fully melted Ni-Al powder fills the respected target surface with high-speed radial flow. Pores around central flattening splat are usually seen due to splash effects. Laser surface texturing has been used to study near interface coating depending on the target shape and in-contact area. Pull-off test results have revealed predominant correlation with powder, surface topography, and adhesion bond strength. Adhesion bond strength is linked to the in-contact area. So, coating adhesion might be optimized with powder granulometry. Pores near the interface would be localized zones for crack initiations and propagations. A mixed-mode failure has been reported for sharp interface (interface and inter-splats cracks) due to crack kicking out phenomena. Coating toughness near the interface is a key issue to maximize adhesion bond strength. Volume particles and topography parameters have been proposed to enhance adhesion bond strength for thermal spray process for small and large in-contact area.     

石墨烯涂层刀具车削6061铝合金有限元仿真

针对高效干切削和微量润滑加工中润滑能力不足的难题,通过引入石墨烯涂层自组装及界面优化,降低刀具表面自由能,提高刀具的耐磨性和寿命.采用DEFORM软件模拟不同切削速度下石墨烯涂层和非涂层硬质合金刀具切削加工6061铝合金,提取分析试验的切削力和切削热等数据后表明:在一定的切削条件下,石墨烯涂层能有效提高刀具的润滑性能,...     

影响CVD金刚石涂层工具界面结合强度的因素及改进措施

化学气相沉积法制备金刚石涂层硬质合金工具综合了金刚石与硬质合金的优异性能,广泛应用于切削难加工材料。金刚石与硬质合金基体界面结合强度是评价金刚石涂层的一个重要性能指标。本文主要介绍了影响CVD金刚石涂层工具界面结合强度的主要因素,并对如何提高其界面结合强度的方法进行了较深入的探讨,同时科学论述了金刚石涂层结构的优化设计理念,以解决金刚石涂层附着强度低、表面粗糙度高等关键技术,这对如何提高硬质合金基体与金刚石涂层之间的界面结合强度具有一定的实际指导意义。     

Machining ferrous materials with carbides coated by chemical vapour deposition I: Interfacial conditions

In order to interpret the wear surfaces of uncoated cemented carbides and those coated by chemical vapour deposition (CVD), it is important to appreciate the nature of the interfaces formed between the tool, the forming chip and the newly created workpiece surface. To elucidate these conditions a series of quick-stop experiments and tool temperature estimates were made with coated and uncoated cemented carbide tools. Three distinct interfacial zones were observed: (a) the main chip-tool interface; (b) the peripheral chip-tool contact at the outer edges of the chip underside; (c) the flank- workpiece interface. These interfaces were essentially similar for CVD-coated and uncoated carbides, but the strength of bonding across the main chip-tool interface was greater for the uncoated carbides, which led to a larger chip- tool contact length and higher rake face temperatures for these tools when cutting steel.