Effect of Arc Current on the Microstructure of AlTiN-Coated Tools and Milling of 304 Stainless Steel
Source abstract
Abstract
304 stainless steel demonstrates a low thermal conductivity and work hardening characteristics, resulting in its processing, and will adhere to the tip of the tool; as well as the phenomenon of chipping, shortening the life of the tool. AlTiN coatings are representative of coatings applied to carbide tools. In this paper, AlTiN coatings with different arc current processes were deposited on carbide milling inserts using arc ion plating. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and milling properties of the coatings were investigated by using the SEM, EDS, XRD, scratch meter, friction and wear meter, and vertical machining center. The findings revealed that all coatings displayed columnar crystal growth, free from cracks and voids. With an increasing arc current, there was a notable increase in surface droplets, pits, and coating thickness. The coating deposited at a 140 A arc current showed a pronounced (200) orientation preference. The adhesion force peaked at 56.0 N with a subsequent decline, and the friction coefficient hit its lowest point of 0.429 at 140 A, contrasting with its highest value of 0.55 at 160 A. After 39 min of dry milling, the tool with a 140 A AlTiN coating exhibited minimal wear of 0.196 mm, just below the 0.2 mm failure threshold, indicating superior performance at this arc current setting.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Advanced materials and composites · Metal and Thin Film Mechanics · Advanced machining processes and optimization
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Zhuzhou Ruideer Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd., Zhuzhou 412000, China
Hunan Pressure Sintering Furnace Engineering and Technology Research Centre, Zhuzhou 412000, China
Funding
Hunan Key Research and Developments Program · Science and Technology Innovation Talent Program
References (38)
Show source-provided references
1. An integrative approach to coating/carbide substrate design of CVD and PVD coated cutting tools during the machining of austenitic stainless steel10.1016/j.ceramint.2019.10.259 ↗
2. Influence of Process Parameters on the Machining Characteristics of Austensite Stainless Steel (AISI 304)10.1016/j.matpr.2018.02.324 ↗
3. The investigation on electrochemical denatured layer of 304 stainless steel10.1080/10426914.2018.1453152 ↗
4. Investigation on the performance of AlCrN and AlTiN coated cemented carbide inserts during end milling of maraging steel under dry, wet and cryogenic environments10.1016/j.jmapro.2019.05.021 ↗
5. An investigation on surface finish and flank wear in hard machining of solution treated and aged 18% Ni maraging steel10.1007/s40430-016-0572-0 ↗
6. Frictional and wear performance of hard coatings during machining of superduplex stainless steel10.1007/s00170-017-0141-4 ↗
7. Ren, Z.K., Fan, W.W., Hou, J., and Wang, T. (2019). A Numerical Study of Slip System Evolution in Ultra-Thin Stainless Steel Foil. Materials, 12.10.3390/ma12111819 ↗
8. Radziejewska, J., Psiuk, R., and Moscicki, T. (2020). Characterization and Wear Response of Magnetron Sputtered W-B and W-Ti-B Coatings on WC-Co Tools. Coatings, 10.10.3390/coatings10121231 ↗
9. Cemented carbide microstructures: A review10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2018.12.004 ↗
10. Effect of Cu doping on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AlTiVN-Cu nanocomposite coatings10.1016/j.surfcoat.2020.126490 ↗
11. Wu, L.Y., Qiu, L.C., Du, Y., Zeng, F.F., Lu, Q., Tan, Z.P., Yin, L., Chen, L.Y., and Zhu, J.F. (2021). Structure and Mechanical Properties of PVD and CVD TiAlSiN Coatings Deposited on Cemented Carbide. Crystals, 11.10.3390/cryst11060598 ↗
12. Chen, Y., Zhang, L., Zhong, Z., and Wang, S. (2022). Effect of Substrates Characteristics on Tribological Behaviors of AlTiN-Based Coated WC–Co Cemented Carbides. Coatings, 12.10.3390/coatings12101517 ↗
13. Contact fatigue behaviour of CVD coated cemented carbides in dry and wet conditions10.1016/j.wear.2021.204215 ↗
14. Mechanical, oxidation, and cutting properties of AlCrN/AlTiSiN nano-multilayer coatings10.1016/j.surfcoat.2022.128094 ↗
15. Yousaf, M.I., Abudouwufu, T., Yang, B., Tolstoguzov, A., and Fu, D.J. (2023). Influence of Bilayer Thickness on Mechanical and Tribological Properties of (Ti-Al)N/MoN Nanostructured Hard Coatings Deposited by Cathodic Arc Ion Plating. Coatings, 13.10.3390/coatings13091654 ↗
16. Tian, C.X., Xiang, Y.X., Zou, C.W., Yu, Y.J., Abudouwufu, T., Yang, B., and Fu, D.J. (2024). Mechanical and Tribological Properties of CrWN/MoN Nano-Multilayer Coatings Deposited by Cathodic Arc Ion Plating. Coatings, 14.10.3390/coatings14030367 ↗
17. Effect of substrate pretreatments on the structure and properties of AlTiN coatings deposited on TiCN-based cermets10.1016/j.tsf.2023.139769 ↗
18. Excellent corrosion resistance and good wear resistance of amorphous AlTiO coating prepared by arc ion plating10.1016/j.matlet.2023.135817 ↗
19. Discharge characterization and technological application of an arc ion plating with a hollow cathode vacuum arc10.1080/01694243.2022.2035511 ↗
20. Study of wear performance and tribological characterization of AlTiN PVD coatings with different Al/Ti ratios during ultra-high speed turning of stainless steel 30410.1016/j.ijrmhm.2021.105570 ↗
21. Analysis of the performance of PVD AlTiN coating with five different Al/Ti ratios during the high-speed turning of stainless steel 304 under dry and wet cooling conditions
22. A study of mechanical and tribological properties as well as wear performance of a multifunctional bilayer AlTiN PVD coating during the ultra-high-speed turning of 304 austenitic stainless steel10.1016/j.surfcoat.2021.127577 ↗
23. Influence of negative bias voltage on microstructure and property of Al-Ti-N films deposited by multi-arc ion plating10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.12.019 ↗
24. Influences of Sedimentation Time and Target Current Ratio on Wear Resistance of a Magnetron Sputtered TiAlN Coating10.1016/S1875-5372(17)30053-X ↗
25. Yan, Y., Luo, Z., Liu, K., Zhang, C., Wang, M., and Wang, X. (2022). Effect of Cryogenic Treatment on the Microstructure and Wear Resistance of 17Cr2Ni2MoVNb Carburizing Gear Steel. Coatings, 12.10.3390/coatings12020281 ↗
26. Functionally graded structure of a nitride-strengthened Mg2Si-based hybrid composite10.1016/j.jma.2024.03.008 ↗
27. Preparation and toughness optimization of (AlCrSiN/TiN)20/Ti multilayer multiscale bionic tool coatings10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.157585 ↗
28. Microstructure and mechanical properties of nanomultilayered AlTiN/Cu coatings prepared by a hybrid system of AIP and PDCMS10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.08.332 ↗
29. Microstructure, mechanical properties and cutting performance of AlTiN coatings prepared via arc ion plating using the arc splitting technique10.1016/j.surfcoat.2016.12.074 ↗
30. Structural optimisation and synthesis of multilayers and nanocomposite AlCrTiSiN coatings for excellent machinability10.1016/j.surfcoat.2015.07.033 ↗
31. Characterization and Performance of AlTiN, AlTiCrN, TiN/TiAlN PVD Coated Carbide Tools While Turning SS 30410.1080/10426914.2014.984217 ↗
32. Investigation of the tribological mechanisms of TiN-ZrO2-B4C ternary ceramic-reinforced copper-metal matrix composites10.1016/j.triboint.2024.109705 ↗
33. Coating-thickness-dependent physical properties and cutting temperature for cutting Inconel 718 with TiAlN coated tools10.1016/j.jare.2021.07.009 ↗
34. Diffusion and oxidation phenomena at elevated temperatures in the contact area between hardened steel and various PVD coatings10.1016/j.surfcoat.2011.02.036 ↗
35. Bouzakis, A., Skordaris, G., Bouzakis, E., Bouzakis, K.-D., and Tsakalidis, D. (2023). Wear Evolution on PVD Coated Cutting Tool Flank and Rake Explained Considering Stress, Strain and Strain-Rate Dependent Material Properties. Coatings, 13.10.3390/coatings13121982 ↗
36. Cutting Performance and Wear Behavior of AlTiN- and TiAlSiN-Coated Carbide Tools During Dry Milling of Ti-6Al-4V10.1007/s40195-020-01010-6 ↗
37. Experimental investigation on hard milling of high strength steel using PVD-AlTiN coated cemented carbide tool10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2013.11.007 ↗
38. Oxidation resistance of TiN, CrN, TiAlN and CrAlN coatings deposited by lateral rotating cathode arc10.1016/j.tsf.2009.03.038 ↗