Applicability of DLC and WC/C low friction coatings on Al2O3/TiCN mixed ceramic cutting tools for dry machining of hardened 52100 steel

The present work examines the applicability of DLC and WC/C low friction coatings on Al₂O₃/TiCN based mixed ceramic cutting tools for the dry and hard turning of AISI 52100 steel (62 HRC). The characterization of coated tools reveals that the coatings retain very low values of surface roughness, whereas the DLC coating exhibits much higher microhardness when compared to the WC/C coating. On the other hand, the WC/C coating exhibit a coarse surface morphology virtually due to the tungsten doping. Later, continuous turning tests were executed with the help of coated and uncoated cutting tools under dry cutting conditions, and their performance was investigated in terms of machining forces, cutting temperature and tool wear. Coating delamination by flaking and peeling is quite prominent in the case of both the coatings; however, it is less severe for the WC/C coated tool. The coatings help to reduce machining forces, cutting temperatures and tool wear, but the performance of coated tools converge towards uncoated tool as the cutting speed, and feed rate is increased. Both the coatings prevent the development of cracks near the cutting edge with WC/C coating exhibiting superior wear behavior basically due to its multilayered structure and better thermal stability. Moreover, the tested low friction coatings don't serve as thermal barriers and only the lubrication generated due to graphitization at the chip-tool interface is mostly responsible for the improved machining performance.     

Improvement of structural/tribological properties and milling performances of tungsten carbide cutting tools by bilayer TiAlN/TiSiN and monolayer AlCrSiN ceramic films

In this study, bilayer TiAlN/TiSiN and monolayer AlCrSiN ceramic films were grown on carbide cutting tool material by cathodic arc physical vapor coating (CAPVD) method to improve the structural/tribological properties and milling performances. The ceramic films were applied on cylindrical test samples and carbide end mills. The coated materials' structural, mechanical, and tribological properties were determined via scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction meter (XRD), tribometer, microhardness tester, and optical profilometer. DIN 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 steel workpieces were machined by using a CNC vertical machining center to determine the actual working performance of the coated and uncoated cutting tools. The wear performance of the cutting tools after machining was determined by measuring the flank wear widths and mass losses. The hardness and adhesion results of the coated sample with bilayer TiAlN/TiSiN were higher than the coated sample with monolayer AlCrSiN. According to the scratch test results, the best adhesion results were obtained for TiAlN/TiSiN coating. The critical load value was determined as about 105 N. As a result, the wear rate value of the TiAlN/TiSiN thin film coated sample was lower. After machining, the mass loss of TiAlN/TiSiN coated tools was lower than AlCrSiN coated tools. In addition, the surface roughness value of the workpiece machined by the cutting tool coated with AlCrSiN was higher than the cutting tool coated with TiAlN/TiSiN.     

Effect of nano-scale texture pretreatment on wear resistance of WC/Co tools with/without TiAlN coated flank-face in dry turning of green Al2O3 ceramics

Advanced ceramics after sintering are almost processed by grinding or non-traditional machining. Nevertheless, these methods are limited by complexity of processing efficiency, tool wear and economic effectiveness. So machining green ceramics before sintering is introduced, it is environmentally friendly, efficient and cheap with high removal rate of materials. During dry turning green ceramics, flank-wear of tools and processing quality of compacts are two main elements to evaluate cutting performance of tools. The processing efficiency and economic effectiveness are mainly effected by the cutting performance of tools. In this paper, polished tool, tool with nano-scale textured flank-face, tool with TiAlN coating deposited on polished flank-face, and tool with TiAlN coating deposited on nano-scale textured flank-face were prepared. Effect of nano-scale texture pretreatment on wear-resistance of WC/Co tools with/without TiAlN coated flank-face was studied in turning of green Al₂O₃ ceramics. Results displayed that nano-scale textures on the flank-face had prominent effects on the enhancement of flank-wear resistance of tools. Relevant mechanisms were explored that nano-scale textures exhibited “derivative cutting” to protect unworn face from abrasion, and nano-scale textures pretreated on the flank-face could enhance the adhesion strength between coating and matrix. These developed tools could also significantly improve the processing quality of machined surfaces.     

PCVD技术在刀具涂层中的应用

为了提高刀具的切削性能,比较有效的一种方法是采用各种涂层技术在刀具基体上涂覆上一层或者多层高硬度、高耐磨损性能的材料,可以显著地提高加工效率、提高加工精度、延长刀具使用寿命。CVD沉积温度高（约1 000℃）,PVD绕镀性差,在一定程度上限定了材料的适用范围,而等离子体化学气相沉积（PCVD）的出现,恰好克服了CVD和PVD的不足。概述了PCVD技术及其应用显著效果,希望对PCVD技术进行推广应用。     

Correlation of the fatigue impact resistance of bilayer and nanolayered PVD coatings with their cutting performance in machining Ti6Al4V

Titanium alloys are widely employed in aerospace and biomedical applications. During the cutting process of Ti6Al4V alloy, the material characteristics of high specific strength and poor thermal conductivity lead to a stress concentration occurred at the tool/chip interface, which may cause severe failure of the coated tools. Besides, the titanium alloy gives rise to serrated chips, whose thickness varies regularly in the cycle mode, which lead to the variation of cutting force and tool stress. So a cyclic impact with high frequency is applied on the coated tool surface, and this induces the fatigue fracture of coating. In this study, repetitive contact between the coating and Vickers diamond indenter through the high frequency cyclic impact tester was developed by employing the ultrasonic actuator device. High frequency cyclic impact testing has been used to study the impact resistance of the TiSiN/TiAlN bilayer coating and TiSiN/TiAlN nanolayered coating. Besides, stress concentration resulting in the failure of coatings can be generated by using the sharp Vickers indenter. The crack propagation in coatings was investigated by the scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the fracture processes of coatings were studied from the force measurement data acquisition system. In addition, the cutting performance of cemented carbide tools coated with these two coatings was evaluated in turning Ti6Al4V titanium alloy. The correlation between the fatigue impact resistance of coatings at high frequency and the wear behavior of coated tools under different cutting conditions was studied. It can be concluded that the TiSiN/TiAlN nanolayered coating showed better properties to resist fatigue impact at the lower impact load, but worse properties to resist fatigue impact at the higher impact load.     

Characterization of TiCN and TiCN/ZrN coatings for cutting tool application

Coating a cutting tool improves wear resistance and prolongs tool life. Coating performance strongly depends on the mechanical and chemical properties of the coating material. In a machining process, the type of selected coating depends on the cutting condition because of the properties of the applied coating material. In addition, many factors, such as coating thickness, composition ratio, sequences of layers in multilayer coatings, and the deposition method influence the performance of a coating. In this study, the mechanical properties of TiCN and TiCN/ZrN were investigated using a ball on disk test. The substrate material made from a carbide-based cutting tool was also developed in-house. The analysis performed shows that the performances of TiCN and TiCN/ZrN coatings were found to be comparable to that of the commercial TiN-coated carbide-based cutting tool. Both the in-house and commercial coated inserts had significantly lower coefficient of friction than uncoated inserts, and the friction coefficient of TiCN coatings was constantly slightly lower than that of TiN coatings. Moreover, the coefficient of friction of the in-house developed TiCN was slightly lower than that of commercial TiN coating. However, the coefficient of friction of the in-house developed uncoated carbide inserts was slightly higher than that of commercial uncoated carbide inserts.     

高能量密度脉冲等离子枪在硬质合金刀具上沉积高硬耐磨涂层研究

用高能量密度脉冲等离子体枪，于室温下在硬质合金刀具基体上分别成功沉积了硬度高、耐磨损、膜基结合力强的TiN、TiCN和TiAlN薄膜。在优化的工艺条件下，所得TiN、TiCN、TiAlN薄膜纳米硬度分别可达27GPa、50GPa和38GPa；杨氏模量分别可达450GPa、550GPa、650GPa。纳米划痕实验临界载荷分别达90mN、110mN和100mN以上。切削实验表明，涂层刀具可用于高速切削，刀具后面磨损明显减小。刀具力学性能的改善归因于更优异力学性能涂层的沉积、良好的膜基结合力以及涂层特殊的显微结构。     

A numerical approach to the heat transfer in monolithic and SiC reinforced HfB2, ZrB2 and TiB2 ceramic cutting tools

Cutting tools are widely used in industry and must be hard enough for machining processes, which should work appropriately at low temperatures to improve cutting speed and productivity. In this research, a numerical method was employed to calculate the temperature distribution in the cutting tools made of different diborides. Monolithic and SiC reinforced HfB₂, ZrB₂ and TiB₂ ceramics were selected for investigation and comparison studies. In this regard, 3-dimensional heat conduction equation was solved in a cutting tool with radiative, convective and heat flux boundary conditions by finite element method using COMSOL Multiphysics. This study clarifies that the maximum temperature in the tools made of ZrB₂ and TiB₂ among the monolithic ceramics is lower than that of HfB₂. Moreover, the temperature variation slope versus time is the highest in HfB₂. All composite materials reinforced with SiC showed lower maximum temperature than the monolithic ones. The thermal performance of TiB₂–SiC and ZrB₂–SiC composites was acquired to be better than that of the other investigated materials. The dominant heat transfer mechanism in the cutting tools was conduction.     

新型陶瓷刀具材料的研究与开发

工业用钢材的质量提高使材料加工难度增加,耐高温的高硬度高强度陶瓷材料被用做切削刀具并逐渐推广应用。本文对陶瓷刀具的材质、种类、性能特点作了比较和评价,并重点介绍了新型的晶须增韧陶瓷刀具。最后,对陶瓷刀具的市场前景进行了预测,并指出了陶瓷刀具研制方面应该深入研究的课题。     

Diamond-Coated WC–Co Cutting Tools

The unique combination of high hardness, high thermal conductivity, and low friction coefficient makes diamond an excellent cutting tool material for the machining of abrasive, non-ferrous workpieces. This paper reviews basic and applied aspects of the technology as applied to the preparation of diamond coated cutting tools.     

Performance evaluation of whisker-reinforced ceramic tools under nano-sized solid lubricants assisted MQL turning of Co-based Haynes 25 superalloy

Ceramics are widely used in machining of high temperature alloys i.e., Co-based Haynes 25 alloy due to its superior characteristics. The present paper is focused on the performance of whisker-reinforced ceramic cutting tool (WRCCT) under nano-sized solid lubricants dispersed in MQL (nanofluid-MQL) during turning of Co-based Haynes 25 alloy. The turning experiments were performed under several cutting environments (dry, base fluid MQL (BF-MQL), hBN based nanofluid MQL (hBN-NMQL), MoS₂ based nanofluid MQL (MoS₂-NMQL), graphite based nanofluid MQL Gr-NMQL) by varying cutting speed (200 and 300 m/min) and feed rate (0.1 and 0.15 mm/rev) values. Initially, the viscosity and thermal conductivity of nanofluids were evaluated and then the prepared nanofluids were used for machining experiments. The results reveal that the rate of increase in thermal conductivity coefficient relative to base cutting fluid was 11.90% in hBN-nanofluid, 16.29% in MoS₂-nanofluid and 14.12% in Gr-nanofluid. In terms of machining performance, on the one hand, the minimum surface roughness was obtained from Gr-NMQL assisted machining, on the other hand, the hBN-NMQL has been successful in limiting of notch wear and nose wear values. Compared to dry turning, the temperature was reduced up to 27.18% with hBN doped nanofluids, while it was 34.95% with MoS₂ doped nanofluids and 29.32% with graphene doped nanofluids.     

Properties of TiN–Al2O3–TiCN–TiN,TiAlN, and DLC-coated Ti(C,N)-based cermets and their wear behaviors during dry cutting of 7075 aluminum alloys

In the work, TiAlN for physical vapor deposition (PVD), multilayer TiN-Al₂O₃-TiCN-TiN for chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and diamond-like carbon (DLC) for plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) were deposited on the cermet inserts. Characteristics and wear behaviors of the three coated cermets during dry cutting of 7075 aluminum alloys were observed. The results show that TiN-Al₂O₃-TiCN-TiN coatings have highest adhesion strength and hardness. At the cutting speed of 1100 r/min, the depth of 0.2 mm, and the feed rate of 0.1 mm/r, the three coated inserts show the best wear-resistant properties. In this case, TiN/Al₂O₃/TiCN/TiN shows the worst wear-resistant properties (value of the flank wear [VBB] = 0.062 mm), while DLC coatings show the most excellent wear-resistant properties (VBB = 0.046 mm). During the cutting of aluminum alloys, which have high plasticity and low melting point, adhesive wear dominate on the flank of the inserts. The thickest coating of TiN/Al₂O₃/TiCN/TiN results in the bluntest cutting edge, which form the most serious adhesive worn zone. For the TiAlN and DLC coatings, due to a smaller cutting force, the two coatings have much better wear resistance. Further, the self-lubricating properties of DLC show excellent effect on protecting the inserts. Thus, the DLC-coated cermets have the best wear-resistant properties. Further, the TiAlN-coated cermets have the widest wear-affected zone while the DLC coating has the narrowest.     

A novel approach to reduce in-service temperature in WC-Co cutting tools

The high temperatures generated in the cutting zone during machining processes results in an increase of wear mechanisms, reducing the lifetime of cutting tools. In this sense, cutting tools industry is constantly looking for new ways to reduce this temperature. This work proposes a novel cemented carbide cutting tool design and fabrication process for enhancing these tools thermal conductivity. This design incorporates copper heat sinks in designated strategic locations, fabricated using innovative laser green compacts machining.A thermal conductivity of 127 W/m.K was obtained for WC-Co/Cu, considerably higher than that of WC-Co (36 W/m.K). This approach for obtaining WC-Co/Cu cutting tools was found effective for increasing locally the thermal conductivity, especially in the cutting zone vicinity.     

Investigation of novel multiscale textures for the enhancement of the cutting performance of Al2O3/TiC ceramic cutting tools

Currently, the high temperature and severe friction conditions at the tool-chip interface are the main reasons for ceramic tool wear failures. Surface texturing as a geometric extension for cutting tools is a promising way to extend their service life. In this study, a novel type of multiscale texture was developed, and its effect on the cutting performance of an Al₂O₃/TiC ceramic cutting tool while machining AISI H13 steel was explored in a conventional cooling environment. The cutting force, cutting temperature, and tool wear morphology were investigated at cutting velocities ranging from 80 to 249 m/min. Microgroove textured Al₂O₃/TiC ceramic tools were prepared for comparison. The results show that the structure of the multiscale textures maintained good integrity over the range of cutting velocities. Thus, the synergistic effect of the microscale and nanoscale textures promoted the introduction and permeation of the cutting fluid. Therefore, the multiscale textures effectively enhanced the cutting performance of the Al₂O₃/TiC ceramic tools.     

Electrochemical corrosion and materials properties of reactively sputtered TiN/TiAlN multilayer coatings

TiN/TiAlN multilayers of 2 μm thickness were successfully prepared by reactive DC magnetron sputtering method. XRD pattern showed the (1 1 1) preferential orientation for both TiN and TiAlN layers. XPS characterization showed the presence of different phases like TiN, TiO₂, TiON, AlN and Al₂O₃. Cross sectional TEM indicated the columnar growth of the coatings. The average RMS roughness value of 4.8 nm was observed from AFM analysis. TiN/TiAlN coating showed lower friction coefficient and lower wear rate than single layer coatings. The results of electrochemical experiments indicated that a TiN/TiAlN multilayer coating has superior corrosion resistance in 3.5% NaCl solution.     

Physical vapor deposition technology for coated cutting tools: A review

Due to various difficult-to-machine materials and increasingly severe machining conditions, more and more attention has been paid to the physical vapor deposition (PVD) technology in recent decades to deposit hard coatings on cutting tools. Combined with the status of industrial application of PVD technology, this paper reviews the main PVD techniques for coated cutting tools from the perspective of the overall PVD coating equipment, including cathodic arc evaporation and magnetron sputtering as well as their hybrid techniques, and the plasma etching which is critical for coating adhesion strength is also involved. With regard to hard coating deposition on cutting tools, the basic principle, cathode configuration, magnetron and power supply are outlined. Issues related to target ionization ratio, coating deposition rate, coating properties and industrial application of numerous PVD techniques are also highlighted. On plasma etching, inert gas ion etching and metal ions etching are discussed. Finally, this paper summarizes and prospects the PVD technology used for coated cutting tools.     

TiB2涂层刀具制备及干铣削Ti-6Al-4V磨损行为研究?

由于切削过程中产生高温、刀具粘结与氧化严重,钛合金切削尤其是干切削,一直是刀具行业的重大挑战之一,而在刀具表面添加涂层是提高钛合金切削刀具寿命的有效途径。利用脉冲磁控溅射技术制备了TiB2涂层刀具,以相同基体的无涂层刀具为对照,干铣削Ti-6Al-4V钛合金,切削速度从30~100 m/min变化,研究TiB2涂层刀具的切削性能与失效机理。所制备的TiB2涂层具有(100)择优取向的六方晶体结构,组织致密。涂层硬度可高达4000 HV。切削实验发现,在30 m/min的低速时,TiB2涂层刀具的切削寿命超过无涂层刀具57%之多,当切削速度加倍到60 m/min时,刀具寿命未见下降。当切削速度增加到100 m/min时,TiB2涂层刀具与无涂层刀具切削寿命相当。TiB2涂层刀具表面氧化所产生的B2O3液化膜,起自润滑作用,可充分减少钛合金的粘结,降低摩擦力。因此,在TiB2或B2O3消失之前,TiB2涂层刀具均有良好表现。在100 m/min时,切削高温造成B2O3强烈挥发,且TiB2被氧化为多孔疏松的TiO2,刀具寿命急剧下降到无涂层刀具的水平。     

金属基有机硅树脂涂层复合材料的导热性能

以锌粉为导热填充剂对环氧有机硅树脂进行改性,考察了改性环氧有机硅树脂涂层干膜中锌粉含量对涂层导热系数的影响,分析了涂层厚度对碳钢基材导热性能的影响. 结果表明,环氧有机硅树脂涂层的导热系数约为0.19 W/(m?K),其耐温能力在200℃以上,可保证涂层在中低温烟气余热回收换热器表层长期工作而不发生任何热反应;添加锌粉可改善环氧改性有机硅涂层的导热性能,涂层干膜锌粉25wt%时,涂层材料导热系数达0.35 W/(m?K),较未添加锌粉时增大了84%. 复合材料的导热系数随涂层厚度增加而下降,无涂层的碳钢导热系数为47.59 W/(m?K),涂层厚度为200 ?m时,导热系数降至34.33 W/(m?K).     

Radiation cooling for heat sinks with high emissivity lanthanum aluminate ceramic coating

The increasing miniaturization and densification of electronic components have increased the demands for efficient heat sinks to dissipate the dense heat generated by these small components. However, owing to the limitations of the substrate material of heat sinks, optimizing the fin structure and its arrangement to enhance heat conduction and convection remains a challenge. In this study, the temperature change of hot water in a 304 steel barrel with and without a La_0.9Ca_0.1Al_0.9Fe_0.1O₃ (LAF) coating was studied. The results demonstrated that the cooling rate of hot water in the barrel coated with LAF coating increased by 28%. Furthermore, a high-emissivity LAF ceramic coating (0.91) was applied to an aluminum heat sink, and the heat transfer performance of the heat sink with and without the LAF coating was studied. The experimental results showed that the equilibrium temperature of the LAF-coated heat sink was reduced by ∼8 °C. Additionally, the LAF coating increased the total heat transfer coefficient by 20% and reduced the thermal resistance by 18%. The proportion of radiation heat transfer on the surface of the heat sink increased with the LAF coating, which accounted for 44% of the total heat transfer coefficient. Thus, LAF coatings have the potential to effectively improve the heat-transfer performance of thermal devices with different metals.     

陶瓷涂层三明治板的抗热震性

采用解析法研究了第3类边界条件下双面陶瓷涂层三明治板的瞬态温度场及瞬态热应力场.对不同Biot模数的热冲击过程中,Al2O3涂层/硬质合金(WC-8%Co,质量分数)基体/Al2O3涂层三明治板的瞬态热应力进行了数值计算.分析了涂层/基体厚度比、涂层与基体热-物理性能匹配对陶瓷涂层三明治板表面热应力峰值的影响.结果表明:陶瓷涂层三明治板的基体的热导率、线膨胀系数和弹性模量应高于涂层,这样可以降低其表面热应力,获得高抗热震性陶瓷涂层三明治板.此外,涂层厚度应尽可能小,以利于改善涂层的抗热震性.