Using a closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering system,the cemented carbide end mills were coated with a CrTiAlN hard coating,which consisted of a Cr adhesive layer,a CrN interlayer and a CrTiAlN top layer.The microstructure and mechanical properties of the coating were investigated by X-ray diffraction（XRD）,scanning electron microscopy（SEM）,transmission electron microscopy（TEM）,micro indentation and scratch test.The cutting performance of the coated end mills were conducted by high-speed dry milling hardened steel（P20,HRC 45）.The results indicates that the coating is composed of（Cr,Ti,Al）N columnar grains with nanolayers.The coating exhibits good adhesion to cemented carbide substrate and high microhardness of around 30 GPa.The coated end mills show significant improvement on tool life and much lower cutting force as compared to the uncoated ones.And the related mechanisms were discussed.
In high-speed machining,hardened steel materials are subjected to high temperatures and high strain rates.Under these conditions,the composition and microstructure of the material may change,and phenomena,such as thermal softening,emerge.These effects are difficult to detect by only observing the chip morphology.Here,using a microscopic detection method,the dynamic mechanical behavior and microstructure of SDK11 hardened steel(62HRC)is investigated at high temperature and high strain-rate,and the relationship between strain hardening,thermal softening,and strain-rate strengthening is determined.The metallographic phases of specimens treated using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar,and″chips″generated during high-speed machining at high temperature and high strain rate state are compared.The results indicate that the phase composition at low temperature and low strain rate differs from that at high temperature and high strain rate.It is further concluded that shear slip occurs at high temperature and high strain rate,and the shear behavior is more pronounced at higher strain rates.
The coating material of a tool directly affects the efficiency and cost of machining malleable cast iron.However,the machining adaptability of various coating materials to malleable cast iron has been insufficiently researched.In this paper,turning tests were conducted on cemented carbide tools with different coatings(a thick TiN/TiAlN coating,a thin TiN/TiAlN coating,and a nanocomposite(nc)TiAlSiN coating).All coatings were applied by physical vapor deposition.In a comparative study of chip morphology,cutting force,cutting temperature,specific cutting energy,tool wear,and surface roughness,this study analyzed the cutting characteristics of the tools coated with various materials,and established the relationship between the cutting parameters and machining objectives.The results showed that in malleable cast iron machining,the coating material significantly affects the cutting performance of the tool.Among the three tools,the nc-TiAlSiN-coated carbide tool achieved the minimum cutting force,the lowest cutting temperature,least tool wear,longest tool life,and best surface quality.Moreover,in comparisons between cemented-carbide and compacted-graphite cast iron machined under the same conditions,the wear mechanism of the coated tools was found to depend on the cast iron being machined.Therefore,the performance requirements of a tool depend on multiple factors,and selecting an appropriately coated tool for a particular cast iron material is essential.
Suyang LiHaisheng LinTingjie ZhangJianbo SuiChengyong Wang
