Ti(C,N) and (Ti,Al)N hard wear resistant coatings

Purpose: Investigation the influence of kind of PVD coatings structure (homogenous or gradient) on properties of deposited tool materials: cemented carbides and cermets. Design/methodology/approach: Analysis of the structure, analysis of the mechanical and functional properties: surface roughness, microhardness tests, scratch tests, cutting tests. The Ti(C,N) gradient coating was investigated by XPS method with multifunctional PHI 5700/660 spectrometer. The characteristic of surface region coating were determined from XPS depth profile. X-ray qualitative phase analysis and the grazing incidence X-ray diffraction method (GIXRD) was employed to collect the detailed information about phase composition of investigated material’s surface layer. Microstructural of investigations substrates and coatings by transmission electron miocroscopy (TEM) were done. Findings: Results of the investigation the influence of PVD coatings structure (homogenous or gradient) and kind on properties of coated tool materials: cemented carbides and cermets are given in the paper. Coatings are characterized by dense, compact structure, there have been identified no pores, fractures and discontinuities. The coatings were deposited uniformly onto the investigated substrate materials and show a characteristic columnar, fine-graded structure. The results of roughness, microhardness and cutting tests confirm the advantages of the PVD coatings. The coatings deposited onto the investigated substrates are characterised by good adhesion and causes increasing of wear resistance. The grazing incidence X-ray diffraction method (GIXRD) in the investigated coatings were used to describe the structure and gradient character of the coatings. Practical implications: Deposition of hard, thin, gradient coatings on materials surface by PVD method features one of the most intensely developed directions of improvement of the working properties of materials. Originality/value: New techniques of gradient coatings deposition is one of the most spectacular aspect of the materials engineering development in the last years. The grazing incidence X-ray diffraction method (GIXRD) in the investigated coatings were used to describe the gradient character of the coatings.