Cutting performance using high reliable device of Ti-Si-N-coated cutting tool for high-speed interrupted machining

To satisfy the demand of higher cutting performance, properties of newly deposited (Ti,Si)N coating and carbide materials are investigated. TiSi-N coatings with various Si contents using hybrid coating technique were prepared and X-ray diffraction patterns, micro-hardness and AFM images were characterized. The coating layer showed the maximum hardness of 45 GPa with a load of 25 g at the Si content of 7 at.%. With increasing the Si content, the TiN crystallites reduced in size and are almost randomly distributed in the amorphous silicon nitride phase. Compared to conventional carbides (K20), micro-grain carbides (K30) were used for high-speed machining. An integrated evaluation system of cutting tools for high-speed milling was newly designed. The cutting performance of end-mills was evaluated by milling of high hardened material (hardness > 60 HRC) using TiN and Ti-Si (7 at.%)-N-coated end-mills with micro-grain carbide. Consequently, The Ti-Si (7 at.%)-N coated end-mill made from HSC material (WC-Co, K30) showed good cutting performance under high-speed cutting condition. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.