Tribological properties of ion-modified composite coatings

The paper presents the results of a study of one of the ways to increase the wear resistance of “duplex” coatings applied to cutting tools, which are due to preliminary diffusion saturation of the tool surface with nitrogen (known as ion nitriding) followed by physical deposition of a hard coating (Ti, Cr) N. The proposed coating also contains an additional layer with an impurity of ions, deposited on a preliminary nitrided surface of high speed steel before the deposition of a hard coating. Tests were carried out to evaluate the effect of these modified layers on the tool life of the HSS tool. The greatest wear resistance after "triplex" - treatment was achieved during ion implantation of titanium into a pre-nitrided surface. The coefficient of friction of the modified layer was studied at different contact temperatures. Ionic mixing contributes to the appearance of a thin surface layer with an amorphous-like structure, which prolongs the stage of normal wear, which significantly increases the tool life as a result of the self-organization process.