Correlation between the wear behavior of coated cemented carbide tools and coatings properties assessed by nano-indentations, nanoand micro-impact tests

The application of appropriate PVD coatings on cemented carbide tools plays an important role for achieving an enhanced milling performance. In the conducted investigations, two different PVD coatings with an overall thickness of about 3.5 mm were deposited on cemented carbide tools possessing a fine, or a normal grain size structure. The coated tools were applied in milling hardened steel and Ti-Al alloy. Nano-indentations supported by appropriate FEM-algorithms for the results evaluation were carried out for determining the stress-strain curves of the employed coatings and substrates. The films brittleness was assessed by conducting nano-impact tests. The fatigue behavior of the applied coatings under dynamic loads was evaluated via impact tests at various temperatures and impac t force durations similar to those developed during milling. Based on the determined coating properties, the attained tool wear results were sufficiently explained.