Investigation on chemical stripping of (Ti,Al,Cr)N multi-component hard films

An investigation on the chemical stripping of the (Ti,Al,Cr)N multi-component hard reactive films deposited on the substrate of high-speed steel by multi-arc ion plating technology, was carried out. The stripping solution was composed of chelating agents, oxidants, inhibitors, sodium hydroxide and distilled water. The surface changes of the (Ti,Al,Cr)N films in the removal process were observed. The stripping abilities of the stripping solutions with different composition combinations were compared. The changes of the surface microstructure, the surface composition and the surface roughness of the (Ti,Al,Cr)N-coated samples after stripping processes were obtained and analysed. The optimal composition of the stripping solution and the optimal stripping process were determined. The (Ti,Al,Cr)N films deposited on high-speed steel substrates were proved to be removed completely. Simultaneously, the clean surface of the high-speed steel substrate with metallic lustre was preserved. © W. S. Maney & Son Ltd 2015.