Reduced crater wear and improved high-speed dry cutting performance of B-containing AlTiBN coatings against Ti-6Al-4 V alloy

AlTiBN coatings with various B contents were fabricated to estimate their microstructures, thermal stability and high-speed dry cutting performance. Addition the B content promoted the structural refinement and increased the adhesive strength, ratios of H/E * and H3/E *2, and thus reduced the coefficients of friction and wear rates of the AlTiBN coating. The high-speed dry turning (100 m/min without coolant) tests manifest significant enhancement in tool life of the AlTiBN coating compared with the AlTiN coating, and the B10 coating exhibited the longest cutting length of c. 780 m due to its high toughness, superior thermal stability, increasing ratios of H/E * (0.082) and H3/E *2 (0.207 GPa) at 1000 °C, and reduced crater wear and cutting force. •B promoted the formation of nano-grains surrounded by amorphous layers.•High toughness and thermal stability were achieved with the addition of B.•Addition of B reduced the friction and wear rate of AlTiBN composite coatings.•Addition of B reduced the reduced “crater wear” and cutting force.•AlTiBN coatings increased the high dry cutting performance against Ti-6Al-4 V.