Friction and wear properties of AlCrN coating by cathodic arc ion plating

AlCrN coating was prepared on the surface of TiC-based cermet cutting tool with cathodic arc ion plating, and the surface–interface morphologies, compositions of chemical elements, and phases were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Bonding strength of the coating-substrate interface was measured with scratching test, and the wear mechanism and friction coefficient of TiC-based cermet cutting tool and AlCrN coating were investigated with friction and wear testing machine. The results show that the interface binding of AlCrN coating is metallurgical mode, and its binding strength is 83 N. The average friction coefficient of TiC-based cermet cutting tool under the load of 6 N is 0.8409, while that under the load of 8 N decreases by about 11 %, and the wear mechanism of TiC cermet cutting tool is fatigue wear, abrasive wear, and oxidation wear. The average friction coefficient of AlCrN coating is 0.6363 under the load of 6 N, and the change is relatively stable, decreasing by about 25 % than that of TiC-based cermet cutting tool; when the load increases to 8 N, the average friction coefficient of AlCrN coating decreases by 9 %. The wear mechanism of AlCrN coating is abrasive wear and oxidation wear, showing lower friction coefficient and good wear resistance.