Microstructure and Friction-Wear Behavior of Multi-arc Ion Plating TiAlNC Ceramic Coating on WC-6%Co Substrate

Nanocomposite coating could be used for machining tools, which can be used for cutting, drilling, milling, whetting, profiling, honing and superfinishing of various materials with high productivity. In this work, the TiAlNC ceramic coating was prepared by multi-arc ion plating method on WC-6%Co substrate. The microstructure and morphology of the coating were observed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The phase and chemical composition of the coating were determined by x-ray diffraction and x-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy, respectively. The adhesive force of the coating was measured by a scratch tester, at the same time the friction-wear behavior of the coating was studied. The results show that there were TiN and (Ti,Al)(N,C) two phases, and there was the coexistence of amorphous and nanocrystalline in the coating. The chemical composition of the coating was composed of 20 ± 9 at.% Ti, 16 ± 5 at.% Al, 39 ± 5 at.% N and 25 ± 10 at.% C. The thickness of the coating was about 4.5 μm. The average root mean square value of the surface roughness was 225 ± 16 nm. A critical force for coating failure in scratch testing was about 25 N. The friction coefficients of the substrate and the coating were 0.55 and 0.35, respectively. The ceramic coating could improve the wear resistance of the substrate.