Investigation Of Deposition Processes And Cutting Properties Of (TiAlZr)N-coated HSS Tools

The optimum deposition process for depositing(TiAlZr)N hard composite films on high speed steel substrate is obtained through the further experiments based on the relevent data from laboratory studies on(TiAlZr)N hard composite films. The(TiAlZr)N- coated high speed steel tools are prepared by the optimum deposition process. The cutting experiments were carried out so as to prove the good performances of(TiAlZr)N-coated high speed steel tools.The multi arc ion planting technology and the two targets of Ti Al alloy and pure Zr were used in the present research. The W2Mo9Cr4Co8( American brand: M42) and W6Mo5Cr4V(American band: M2) high speed steel tools were adopted as substrate materials. A series of(TiAlZr)N composite films were deposited by changing deposition bias voltage and electric current of two targets. Some properties tests for all of the(TiAlZr)N-coated substrates are completed so that the good synthetical properties including hardness, film/substrate adhesion, thermal shock resistance and abrasion resistance are determined. And then, the corresponding optimal deposition process parameters are presented.The(TiAlZr)N-coated M42, M2 drilling and milling cutter were prepared by using the optimal deposition parameters. The M42 high speed steel drilling cutter 8mm in diameter and M2 end milling cutter 10 mm in diameter were adopted. The(TiAlZr)N-coated tools and uncoated tools were compared with each other by cutting tests for the normal 45# steel(hardness:30HRC) and the 45# steels pecially heat-treated(hardness:40HRC). The observation foucs on the improvments of the cutting surface quality, the useful cutting life and the processing range of tools.This experimental results show that the as-prepared(TiAlZr)N hard composite films are of B1-NaCl face-centred cubic structure, with gradient componentdistribution. The microhardness of the films is 3800-4000 HV and the film/ substrate adhesion is over 170 N.The cutting machining properties of the(TiAlZr)N-coated M42, M2 drilling and milling prepared by optimized deposition process are improved greatly in comparison with the uncoated tools. And the properties of the(TiAlZr)N-coated M42 drilling cutter are improved more obviously comapred with the(TiAlZr)N-coated M2 milling cutter. The cutting lifes of the two tools are enhanced by 3 times compared with the corresponding uncoated tools. The present results show that the cutting life can be improved and the processing range can be extended by plating(TiAlZr)N hard composite films.