Wear characteristics of TiC, Ti(C,N), TiN and Al2O3 coatings in the turning of conventional and Ca-treated steels

The wear characteristics of single layers of TiC, Ti(C,N), TiN and Al₂O₃ were investigated during turning of conventional and Ca-treated quenched and tempered Al-killed steels. The experimental coatings were deposited using chemical vapour deposition (CVD) or moderate temperature CVD (MTCVD) on cemented carbide substrates of a single composition and the coatings were of similar thicknesses (7 ± 1 μm). The wear mechanisms and layer formation were studied using scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Inclusion modification appeared to be an effective means of enhancing machinability and all experimental coatings exhibited about 20% better performance as a result of Ca-treatment. In particular, the crater wear of the experimental coatings — excluding Al₂O₃ — was clearly reduced. Comparative cutting tests revealed important differences between the coating materials. Wear mechanisms of the experimental coatings are discussed in detail.