Analysis of structure and bonding strength of AlTiN coatings by cathodic ion plating

AlTiN coating was prepared on the surface of YT14 hard alloy cutter by cathodic arc ion plating, and the surface-interface morphologies, line scans of the interface elements and valence state of chemical elements were analyzed with field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively, and bonding strength of the coating was measured with scratching tester. The results show that the elements of Al and N mainly exist in the AlTiN coating with an AlN and AlTiN hard phase, and (the) Ti element mainly exists in the coating with a TiN hard phase, which improve wear resistance of AlTiN coating. The elements of Al, Ti and N are diffused at the coating interface, in which part of Ti atoms are replaced by Al atoms at the TiN lattice, still keep face-centered cubic structure of TiN coating to form metallurgical bonding, and bonding strength of the coating interface measured by scratching tester is 78.75 N, which is beneficial to improving service life of AlTiN coating prepared on the surface of carbide tool cutter.