WC-Co cutting tool inserts with diamond coatings

WC-Co cutting tool inserts were coated with diamond films using microwave p lasma assisted chemical vapor deposition. Several pretreatment processes an d combinations were used to enhance the diamond nucleation and growth: mech anical treatments with diamond powder seeding, acid etching of the cobalt u sing an electrolytic acid bath, and formation of a TiC or DLC interlayer us ing metal plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (MePIIID). Scann ing electron microscopy (SEM) was used to view the diamond him morphology, and microanalysis was used to examine for cobalt removal after acid etching . The diamond quality was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, and the adhe sion between the film and the cutting tool inserts was estimated by indenta tion tests. The present work compares the different treatments of the WC-Co insert surface, with particular reference to the adhesion between the diam ond film and the cutting tool insert. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All ri ghts reserved.