Effect of ion implantation on the residual stress, tribological and machining behavior of CVD and PVD TiN coated cemented carbide cutting tool inserts

Abstract

The ion implantation of cemented carbide cutting tool inserts often results in increased tool life. In the present work, contributing mechanisms were clarified by taking commercial cutting tool inserts, coated with TiN by conventional chemical and physical vapor deposition (CVD and PVD), and implanting them with either nitrogen ions or the dual nickel-titanium metal ions. The residual stress, microhardness and specific wear rate profiles were measured and the inserts were tested in the turning of stainless steel or a titanium alloy. The results show that changes in the lifetime of these TiN coated tools are not due to a change in the residual stress but to changes in the microhardness profile and tribological properties through the coatings after ion implantation. It is also hypothesized that the dual metal ion implant reduces the coefficient of friction during the turning operation.