TiN Coated Cemented Carbide Cutting Tool Adherence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surface-coated cutting tools face challenges in achieving sufficient adherence between the base material and the coating, leading to issues with wear resistance and strength due to low temperature coating processes and uneven crystal growth.

Innovation Solution

A surface-coated cutting tool design where a TiN layer with a concentration distribution of elements like carbon and cobalt is applied as the lowermost layer, diffusing these elements into the coating to enhance adherence, and a TiCN layer is added on top for improved wear resistance, using chemical vapor deposition for better adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a coating is formed on the base material using conventional low temperature processes, then the coating can be applied, but the adherence between the coating and base material is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadherenceVSAvoidcoating process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by increasing the coating formation temperature to 900°C or higher, which fundamentally alters the deposition conditions. This high temperature enables sufficient diffusion of base material elements into the coating, thereby achieving strong adherence without requiring complex pre-treatment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by forming the coating at high temperature in a single step that simultaneously achieves both coating deposition and element diffusion. This eliminates the need for separate diffusion treatment steps, simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring strong adherence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the coating is formed at high temperature to improve adherence, then the adherence improves, but the crystal growth becomes uneven and wear resistance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadherenceVSAvoidcrystal growth uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the coating temperature to a specific range of 900°C to 1100°C, which is high enough to ensure strong adherence through element diffusion but controlled to prevent excessive crystal grain growth. This precise parameter control achieves both strong adherence and fine, uniform crystal structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic control of deposition conditions during coating formation, adjusting parameters to maintain optimal temperature ranges that promote uniform crystal nucleation and growth while preventing localized overheating that would cause uneven crystal structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the coating structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the manufacturing process is easier, but the wear resistance and strength are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating structureVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves a simplified single-layer coating structure by optimizing deposition parameters, which reduces manufacturing complexity compared to multi-layer structures. Despite the structural simplification, the high temperature processing ensures fine crystal grain formation and strong element diffusion, maintaining excellent wear resistance and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly improves the adherence between the base material and the coating, resulting in enhanced wear resistance and tool life, making the cutting tool more suitable for high-speed machining.

Implementation Method 1

the TiN layer contains at least one element together with TiN, the element has a concentration distribution in a thickness direction of the TiN layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

using chemical vapor deposition for better adhesion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical vapor deposition: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP3064610B1Surface-coated cutting tool
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC HARDMETAL CORP

AI summary

A surface-coated cutting tool comprising a base material and a coating formed on the base material, said coating including one or two or more layers, a layer among said layers that abuts on said base material being a TiN layer, said base material being made of a cemented carbide, characterized in that said TiN layer contains C and Co together with TiN, said C and said Co each have a concentration distribution in a thickness direction of said TiN layer, the concentration distribution of said C includes a region where the concentration of said C decreases in a direction from said base material toward a surface of said coating, the concentration distribution of said Co includes a region where the concentration of said Co decreases in a direction from said base material toward a surface of said coating, and wherein the concentration distribution of said C has a difference between a maximum concentration and a minimum concentration of said C of 10 atomic % or more.