Composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of boron containing multilayer coatings for hot forming tools

This paper presents examples for ternary boron based Ti-B-N gradient coatings in specific multilayer designs obtained through plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. After a thorough characterization of the chemical composition by Auger electron spectroscopy, the microstructure by X-ray diffraction and the mechanical properties by microindentation and small-angle cross section nanoindentation, the coatings were applied onto hot forming tools made from DIN 1.2367 tool steel. The coated tools were tested in hot forging of AISI 1043 raw parts in an automatic press and have been compared in terms of adhesion and wear resistance. In this study an optimum design has been found which significantly reduces sticking of work piece material and wear. This allows an efficient production without interruptions for a reworking of the tools and enables to increase the process reliability paired with a longer tool life.