HARD COATINGS FOR LUBRICATION REDUCTION IN METAL-FORMING

Different forming processes were investigated to evaluate the possibil ity of reducing the usage of lubricants. A successful way to minimize the consumption of lubricants is to use tools which are covered with P VD hard coatings deposited by the cathodic vacuum are evaporation. The most promising coating in use was the CrN coating. It becomes evident that neat stamping oils may be substituted by water diluted emulsions when working with coated tools in the forming process. Four main effe cts were observed: reduction of lubricants up a factor to 85% of addit ive concentration, increase of tool life up a factor to 169 (first pol ishing), increase of working speed up a factor to 2 and reduction of w ashing processes. These effects lower the production costs and decreas e the environmental charge.