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Metallurgical Characteristics of TiAlN/AlCrN Coating Synthesized by the PVD Process on a Cutting Insert

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Abstract

TiAlN/AlCrN coating was deposited on a tungsten carbide insert, using the plasma-enhanced physical vapor deposition (PEPVD) process. The microstructure of the coating was examined and it was found that the TiAlN/AlCrN coating was uniform, highly dense, and less porous. The different phases formed in the coating were analyzed using the x-ray diffraction. The hardness and scratch resistance were measured using the nanoindentation tester and scratch tester, respectively. TiAlN/AlCrN exhibited higher hardness, higher Young’s modulus, and superior scratch resistance when compared to the conventional coatings, such as TiAlN, AlCrN, and TiN. The surface morphology of the coating was characterized using the atomic force microscope (AFM). The surface roughness was found to be lesser in the TiAlN/AlCrN coating. The TiAlN/AlCrN coating has proved to have better corrosion resistance, compared to the uncoated carbide substrate.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their thanks to Oerlikon balzers coating India Ltd., Irrungattukottai, NAL-Bangalore and Sathyabama University, for providing the facilities to carry out these studies and to prepare this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, C. Abdul Hakeem College of Engineering and Technology, Hakeem Nagar, Melvisharam, 632 509, India

    T. Sampath Kumar

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, 600 025, India

    S. Balasivanandha Prabu

  3. School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University, Vellore, 632 014, India

    Geetha Manivasagam

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  1. T. Sampath Kumar
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Correspondence to T. Sampath Kumar.

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Sampath Kumar, T., Balasivanandha Prabu, S. & Manivasagam, G. Metallurgical Characteristics of TiAlN/AlCrN Coating Synthesized by the PVD Process on a Cutting Insert. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 23, 2877–2884 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-014-1057-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-014-1057-x

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