Comparison Study of PVD Coatings: TiN/AlTiN, TiN and TiAlSiN Used in Wood Machining

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the possibilities of the protection of tools for wood machining with PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) hard coatings. The nanolayered TiN/AlTiN coating, nanocomposite TiAlSiN coatings, and single layer TiN coating were analyzed in order to use them for protection of tools for wood machining. Both nanostructured coatings were deposited in an industrial magnetron sputtering system on the cutting blades made of sintered carbide WC-Co, while TiN single layer coating was deposited by evaporation using thermionic arc. In the case of TiN/AlTiN nanolayer coatings the thickness of the individual TiN and AlTiN layer was in the 5–10 nm range, depending on the substrate vertical position. The microstructure and chemical composition of coatings were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) method. Additionally, in the case of the TiN/AlTiN coating, which was characterized by the best durability characteristics, the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods were applied. The coatings adhesion to the substrate was analyzed by scratch test method combined with optical microscopy. Nano-hardness and durability tests were performed with uncoated and coated blades using chipboard. The best results durability characteristics were observed for TiN/AlTiN nanolayered coating. Performance tests of knives protected with TiN and TiAlSiN hard coatings did not show significantly better results compared to uncoated ones.

Structural and Mechanical Properties of DLC/TiN Coatings on Carbide for Wood-Cutting Applications

“…The durability of the cutters was assessed by comparing the values obtained for the total path of contact of the cutter with the machined material for the uncoated and coated cutter [5]. A reported study in the literature [69] showed that the cutter durability (FABA firm) with TiN coatings deposited on WC-4.5 wt.% Co cutters using thermionic arc evaporation was only slightly higher (19%) than that of TiN-coated cutters for chipboard milling in the present work.…”