Effects of bias voltage on microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear mechanism of novel quaternary (Ti, Al, Zr)N coating on the surface of silicon nitride ceramic cutting tool

Abstract

In this study, a novel quaternary (Ti, Al, Zr)N coating was successfully fabricated via multi-arc ion plating (MAIP) technique on the Si3N4 ceramic substrate. During the MAIP process, a combination of Ti target, Zr target, and AlTi target was used. Four groups of (Ti, Al, Zr)N coatings were produced with different bias voltages (50, 100, 150, and 200V) but the same target current. The effect of the pulsed bias voltage on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear mechanism of the (Ti, Al Zr)N coating was investigated in order to optimize the cutting performance of PVD coated ceramic cutting tool. The results of turning tests indicated that the dominant wear mechanism for the cutting tool prepared at the bias of 50V was abrasive and fatigue wear. The mechanisms were the combination of adhesive wear and abrasive wear when the bias was increased from 100 to 200V. It is believed that this study provides a new perspective to understand the critical role of bias voltage of MAIP for the quaternary coatings on Si3N4 cutting tools.