Optimum Ti-C : H coatings on tungsten carbide inserts for milling applications

The use of Ti-x%-C:H coated cutting tools in a specific machining operation improves wear resistance and results in a good machined surface roughness of 7075T651 aluminum alloy. Better performance is attained by optimizing th e adhesion between the coating and the substrate, and providing a suitable coating thickness, a high micro-hardness and reduced friction within the cu tting zone. This study shows that optimized Ti-x%-C:H-coated tools possess great potential for milling operations compared to cermet and uncoated tool s. The results indicate that Ti-x%-C:H coatings possess excellent wear resi stance and produce good machined surface roughness under dry and cutting-fl uid milling processes. Furthermore, the excellent cutting performance for T i-x%-C:H coated tools under the dry process can replace cermet-coated tool operations under the cutting-fluid process. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.