The cutting performance and wear mechanism of ceramic cutting tools with MoS2 coating deposited by magnetron sputtering

MoS2 solid lubrication coatings were deposited by magnetron sputtering on t he ceramic inserts. Their microstructures and effect on cutting performance were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), EDAX, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The wear resistan ce and life of ceramic tools with and without MoS2 coating were compared in real cutting experiments. The results showed that the flank wear of cerami c cutting tools with MoS2 coating is reduced and their wear life extended m arkedly. The mechanisms of life-extending were analyzed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.