M. Polok-Rubiniec

PVD coatings deposited onto plasma nitrided X37CrMoV5-1 type steel

The purpose of this paper was characterisation of the structure, mechanical and tribological properties of the monolayers CrN, TiN and multilayers TiN/(Ti,Al)N PVD coatings deposited onto plasma nitrided X37CrMoV5-1 type hot work tool steel. Taking into account the results of measurements, one can state that the lowest wear at certain conditions in both room and elevated temperatures displays the TiN/(Ti,Al)N multilayer coating, what can be connected with their good adherence to the substrate materials as well as the highest hardness. The investigation results will provide useful information to applying the PVD coating for the improvement of wear resistance of tools made from hot work steels. The paper contributes to better understanding of the structure, adhesion and the wear resistance at the elevated temperature up to 500°C of CrN and TiN, TiN/(Ti,Al)N PVD coatings deposition onto hot work tool steel X37CrMoV5-1 type. [Received on 25 October 2005; Accepted on 12 February 2007]

TEM Investigations of Aluminium Composite Materials Reinforced with Ti(C,N) Ceramic Particles

Investigations of composite materials based on EN AW-AlCu4Mg1 (A) aluminium alloy reinforced with Ti (C,N) particles with weight ratios of 5, 10, and 15% are presented in this paper. The metallographic investigations of composite materials show banding of the reinforcing particles in aluminium matrix after the performed extrusion process. The structure observed in composites materials is oriented parallel to the extrusion direction. The amount of reinforcement particles Ti (C,N) has influence on the mechanical properties of the obtained composite materials. The increase of hardness is observed with the growth of the amount of reinforcement particles. Hardness increased from 89 HV1 for the material without the reinforcing phase to 143 HV1 for 15% of the Ti (C,N) reinforced material.Based on the microstructural investigations of the obtained composite materials, the uniform distribution of the reinforcing particles in the aluminium matrix was also revealed in the obtained structure.