Investigation of the wear pattern of the Ti-TiN-(Ti,Al,Cr)N nanostructured coating with a varying modulation period

Abstract

The paper describes the results of the study of Ti-TiN-(Ti,Al,Cr)N nanostructured coatings with varying modulation period λ. The study was focused on the coatings with the modulation period λ, increasing from 20 to 300 nm and decreasing from 300 to 20 nm. A sample with the constant modulation period λ = 50 nm was assumed as an object of comparison. The hardness of the coatings and their resistance to fracture during scratch testing were found. The structure of the coatings was studied using scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. The data on the elemental and phase composition of the coatings were compared. It has been found that a coating with an increasing modulation period λ provides higher tool wear resistance during the turning of steel. The studies reveal differences in the patterns of cracking in the coatings under consideration. The crystalline structure of the coatings was studied. It has been found that, with identical grain sizes, the coatings have noticeable differences in terms of texture severity.