J. Mikuła

Investigation of the structure and properties of coatings deposited on ceramic tool materials

This paper presents the results of the investigation of the structure and properties of the coatings deposited with the PVD and CVD techniques on sintered tool materials: cermets, oxide Al2O3 ceramic and nitride Si3N4 based ceramics. The investigation includes the metallographic analysis using the transmission and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), chemical composition analysis, as well as the analysis of the mechanical and functional properties of the material. Tests were carried out on the multipoint inserts made from the ceramic tool materials based on Al2O3 and Si3N4 and cermets, both uncoated and coated with gradient, multicomponent and multilayer hard wear resistant coatings with PVD and CVD processes.

Structural Characteristics of the Modern Sintered Tool Materials

Within the project framework the structure and properties was investigated of the cemented carbides, cermets and oxide ceramics using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The X-ray qualitative microanalysis and surface distribution analysis of elements in the investigated materials were made using the EDS X-ray energy dispersive radiation spectrometer. The roughness measurements of the developed materials were made in two orthogonal directions. The Ra parameter was assumed to be the value describing surface roughness. The microhardness tests using the Vickers method were made on the dynamic ultra microhardness tester. The measurements were made in the „load - unload” mode.