Applicative characterization of cathodic arc-deposited Ti–B–N coatings

Reactive cathodic are evaporation of a Ti-B alloy with 3.5 at.% boron was applied to deposit Ti-B-N coatings with a resulting boron content of 1 at.%. The discharge behaviour was characterized. The coatings were investigated by depth-sensing indentation measurements before and after thermal loadings at 700 degrees C under vacuum and under atmospheric conditions as well as by milling and drilling tests with coated tools. The results were compared to TiN and (Ti,Al)(C,N) reference systems. The Ti-B-N coatings showed an increased thermal stability in comparison to TiN and (Ti,Al)(C,N). In the application tests Ti-B-N-coated tools showed improved performance compared to the (Ti,Al)(C,N)-coated reference tools. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.