PVD coatings deposited onto plasma nitrided X37CrMoV5-1 type steel

The purpose of this paper was characterisation of the structure, mechanical and tribological properties of the monolayers CrN, TiN and multilayers TiN/(Ti,Al)N PVD coatings deposited onto plasma nitrided X37CrMoV5-1 type hot work tool steel. Taking into account the results of measurements, one can state that the lowest wear at certain conditions in both room and elevated temperatures displays the TiN/(Ti,Al)N multilayer coating, what can be connected with their good adherence to the substrate materials as well as the highest hardness. The investigation results will provide useful information to applying the PVD coating for the improvement of wear resistance of tools made from hot work steels. The paper contributes to better understanding of the structure, adhesion and the wear resistance at the elevated temperature up to 500°C of CrN and TiN, TiN/(Ti,Al)N PVD coatings deposition onto hot work tool steel X37CrMoV5-1 type. [Received on 25 October 2005; Accepted on 12 February 2007]