Heat-resistant coating for cutting tools

       

The nitride coating of titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) protects drill bits, milling cutters, and indexable cutting inserts that resist premature wear failure. Now, a small amount of tantalum can further improve the thermal stability of these adhesion layers.

TiAlN coatings are often doped with other elements to optimize properties for specific applications. Therefore, for example, tantalum makes cutting operations easier at high temperatures. Especially when processing extremely hard materials, the tool is prone to overheating. The wear-resistant coating made of titanium aluminum tantalum nitride provides better high temperature stability and oxidation resistance. This allows the processing operation temperature to be as high as 950°C.



The Institute of Materials Science and Technology of Vienna University of Technology conducted a detailed study on the properties of titanium aluminum tantalum nitride coatings. The research team carried out coating experiments with different compositions of titanium, aluminum and tantalum. In the experiment of the specific composition of the material ((Ti0.32 Al0.6 Ta0.08N)), the maximum thermal stability was achieved. Plansee powder metallurgy technology is used to produce the necessary target materials, making it possible to manufacture products with the precise composition of materials.