High-performance nano-structured CVD TiAlN coated cutting tools for difficult-to-cut materials

Research Project, 2021 – 2024

Purpose and goal: The aim of this project is to acquire the essential knowledge needed to develop novel coating systems for cutting tools to be used for machining difficult-to cut materials.
The project goals are: To understand the details of the microstructure of CVD TiAlN coatings. To couple the mechanical properties and machining performance to the detailed microstructure of the coatings. To understand the phase transformation of the metastable nanolamellae phases and their influence on the coatings’ properties.
Expected results and effects: The expected outcome from the project is to provide fundamental knowledge needed in order to tailor-make a next generation of high-performance nano-structured CVD TiAlN coatings for machining of difficult-to-cut materials.
Approach and implementation: Novel hard nano-structured TiAlN coatings will be deposited on cemented carbide cutting tool inserts by CVD. We will build a fundamental understanding that can make it possible to machine difficult-to-cut materials, which today is very hard and challenging. Advanced characterization, including scanning transmission electron microscopy, will be carried out to reveal the complex microstructure of these self-organizing, metastable nanolamellae coatings. As-deposited coatings, as well as coatings exposed to heat-treatments and mechanical tests will be studied