21 / 1618
1/3
Cutting Tools
1
Tools made of high speed steel or carbide because of their generally good basic properties are supplied with a bright finish without
extra surface treatment. For special applications it is recommended that tools are optimised for diverse applications by surface
finishing processes, to achieve the following goals:
Titanium-nitride coating
TiN
Titanium-nitride is a gold-coloured protective layer applied
by a PVD process (Physical Vapour Deposition). Higher
hardness combined with a lower friction coefficient achieves
a significantly longer service life and improved cutting
performance. The TiN coating is primarily used for drills and
thread bores.
Titanium carbon-nitride coating
TiCN
Titanium carbon-nitride is a wear-protection layer applied
by PVD, being harder than TiN and having a lower friction
coefficient. Tool performance is increased through greater
hardness and ductility combined with improved wear.
The TiCN coating is primarily used for NC drill bits, thread
bores and end mills
Titanium aluminium-nitride coating
TiAlN
Titanium aluminium-nitride is a multi-layer ceramic coating
applied using the PVD method. The resulting greater
hardness and oxidation stability make this coating ideal for
higher speeds and feed rates for extended tool life.
The TiAlN coating is used mainly in drilling and milling
machine processes, and is also recommended for dry
processing.
Aluminium titanium-nitride coating
AlTiN
Aluminium titanium nitride has a higher Al content
compared to titanium aluminium nitride. This ensures an
even higher oxidation resistance and has a greater layer
hardness. The AlTiN coating is used mainly in drilling and
milling machine processes, and is also recommended for dry
processing.
Zirconium nitride coating
ZrN
Zirconium nitride is suitable for machining non-ferrous
materials, and especially for aluminium alloys. This coating
is not good for cold welding of aluminium. Associated with
high layer hardness and oxidation resistance are advantages
that increase tool service life and effective feed rate and
cutting speed.
Surface finishing benefits at a glance
Wear- and diffusion resistance
Hardness, toughness
Heat hardness, oxidation stability
Hardness, toughness, wear resistance
Lower slippage resistance
Hardness, wear resistance on cast iron
Extreme hardness, extreme heat resistance
Lower slippage resistance,
high wear resistance
High hardness, low friction coefficient
– Extended service life
– Lower cutting pressure
– Higher cutting speeds and feed rates
– Better surface quality
– Better dry processing
– Optimised hard processing
Fire coating (TiAIN/TiN)
Fire
Fire is a TiAIN/TiN multi-layer coating with a gradient
structure. The combined benefits of TiAlN and TiN coatings
are very good wear resistance with high thermal stability,
hardness and toughness. In addition to the conventional wet
application, this layer can also be used for minimum quantity
lubrication and dry machining.
Fire coating is suitable for all spiral drills, thread bores and
end mills, as well as removable discs.
Steam tempering
steam
Steam tempering is a form of surface processing which
reduces slide resistance and prevents edge build-up. Cold
welding can also be avoided.
Steam tempering is primarily used with drills and thread
bores.
Nitriding
Nitrated
Nitriding is a surface machining process that increases
hardness and wear resistance. Particularly for working with
highly abrasive materials such as cast iron, which nitriding
is particularly suitable for.
Nitriding is primarily used with drills and thread bores.
Signum coating (TiALN/SiN)
Signum
Due to the special nano-composite structure with a protective
layer of TiALN and SiN, this coating, with 5500 HV, is one of
the hardest on the market. Particularly for difficult-to-machine
materials. High heat wear resistance combined with high
diffusion resistance.
Sirius coating (TiAlN/zirconium nitride)
Sirius
Sirius coating for the protection against damages to the
thread cutter: the combination of TiAlN and zirconium nitride
generates particularly tough tool surface with low friction
values.
TiN
gold-yellow
single-layer
1–4
2300
0.50
max. 600 C°
TiCN
light brown
multi-layered
1–4
3000
0.40
max. 400 C°
TiAlN
AITiN
violet
multi-layered
3
3200
0.55
max. 750 C°
Fire
red
multi-layered
2–6
3300
0.60
max. 850 C°
grey
surface treatment
max. 5
400
–
max. 550 C°
silver-grey
surface treatment
20
1300
–
max. 550 C°
Signum
red-bronze
multi-layered
1–5
5500
0.55
max. 800 C°
Sirius
pale gold
multi-layered
1–5
3400
0.40
max. 800 C°
ZrN
light-gold
multi-layer
0.1–3
3400
0.50
max. 900 C°
Surface
Colour
Coating structure
Thickness
Hardness
Friction coefficient
Application
finish
µm
HV
versus steel temperature
Steam
Nitrated
Surface finishing
Surface finishing processes compared
TiN
TiCN
TiAlN
AlTiN
Fire
Steam
Nitrated
Sirius
21