The cutting performance of TiSiCN hard coating deposited by PEMS

Abstract

In this current investigation, we applied a developed physical vapour deposition process named Plasma-Enhanced Magnetron Sputtering(PEMS) to coat TiSiCN thin film on WC-Co cutting inserts, column structure is eliminated by applying heavy ion bombardment, high deposition rate up to 7um/h was achieved and large thickness was measured around 5um, three samples were used to study the deposition technique and the high speed dry cutting properties on the carbon steel. Scratch test was used to investigate adhesion of the TiSiCN coatings which indicated critical load can be over 55 N, surface morphology and microstructure of the TiSiCN coatings were revealed by SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope), AFM(Atomic Force Microscope), XRD(X-ray diffraction Microscope). Cutting experiment was carried out through face milling medium carbon steel in the CNC center under dry condition, cutting resistant force can be significantly reduced by 80% compared with the raw insert, the chip formation, BUE (build-up edge) and adhesion wear were investigated, in the end, the Vickers Indentation fracture toughness was revealed by different calculations. According to our first attempt, this super hard coating TiSiCN can be applied as a protection layer on the WC-Co cutting tools in high speed cutting under dry condition.