Cr-Al-V Nitride Coating for Wear-Resistant Cutting Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing surface-coated cutting tools experience impairment of adhesion resistance due to damage at the outer layer, leading to peeling and wear, which affects the tool's performance during cutting processes.

Innovation Solution

A surface-coated cutting tool with a single-component coating layer composed of a composite nitride of Cr, Al, and V, represented by the compositional formula Cr a Al b V c N, where 0.11 ≤ a ≤ 0.26, 0.73 ≤ b ≤ 0.85, and 0 < c ≤ 0.04, exhibiting both hexagonal and cubic crystalline phases, and a peak intensity ratio within 1.5 to 5.8, enhancing adhesion and wear resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a multi-layer coating structure (inner layer and outer layer) is used, then wear resistance is improved, but adhesion resistance deteriorates due to outer layer damage and peeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidadhesion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple coating layers into a single-layer composite nitride coating. The single-layer structure contains both hexagonal and cubic phases, combining the wear resistance function (previously provided by the outer layer) and adhesion resistance function (previously provided by the inner layer) into one integrated coating, eliminating the interface between layers where peeling occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite nitride material containing Cr, Al, and V elements with specific atomic proportions. This composite material forms both hexagonal and cubic crystalline phases within a single layer, providing the dual functionality of wear resistance (from hexagonal phase) and adhesion resistance (from cubic phase) without requiring separate layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the outer layer is mainly formed of hexagonal compound, then wear resistance is improved, but adhesion resistance deteriorates due to damage at the outer layer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidadhesion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the hexagonal phase (providing wear resistance) and cubic phase (providing adhesion resistance) within a single coating layer. This eliminates the problem where the outer hexagonal layer damages and peels off, as both phases are integrated throughout the entire coating thickness, ensuring adhesion resistance is maintained even when wear occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves improved adhesion and wear resistance, reducing tool damage and extending service life by maintaining hardness and thermal resistance while ensuring good slidability between the coating layer and work material.

Implementation Method 1

the single-component coating layer has both a hexagonal crystalline phase (hereinafter referred to simply as a hexagonal phase) and a cubic crystalline phase (hereinafter referred to simply as a cubic phase)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystalline phase formation: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

the single-component coating layer exhibits a peak intensity ratio (IA/IB) of 1.5 or more and 5.8 or less as determined through X-ray diffractometry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray diffraction: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP3653323B1Cutting tool for surface coating
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 NITERRA CO LTD
  • EP3653323B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3653323B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3653323B1 patent drawing

AI summary

To improve the adhesion resistance and wear resistance of a surface-coated cutting tool. The surface-coated cutting tool includes a tool substrate, and a single-component coating layer composed of a composite nitride of Cr (chromium), Al (aluminum), and V (vanadium) and disposed on the surface of the tool substrate. The composite nitride is characterized by being represented by a compositional formula: CraAlbVcN satisfying the following relations: 0.11≤a≤0.26; 0.73≤b≤0.85; 0&lt;c≤0.04; and a+b+c=1 (wherein a, b, and c each represent an atomic proportion). The single-component coating layer has both a hexagonal phase and a cubic phase.