Effect of adhesion and tribological properties of modified composite nano-structured multi-layer nitride coatings on WC-Co tools life

The paper presents the results of the comparative tests of carbide samples with multilayered nano-structured coatings based on titanium nitrides (Ti-TiN-(Ti,Cr,Al,Si)N) and zirconium nitrides (Zr-ZrN-(Nb,Zr,Cr,Al)N and Zr-ZrN-(Zr,Al,Si)N). The phase composition and microstructure of these coatings were studied. The scratch test method was applied to study the adhesion bond strength to the substrate and the coating fracture patterns. The tribological parameters of the coated samples were studied at temperatures of 450°C-900 °C. The cutting properties of the tools with the coatings under study were investigated in turning AISI 321 steel. Various coating parameter effects on the cutting tool life were studied.