Effect of High-Current Pulsed Electron Beam Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Multilayered TiN/TiCN/Al2O3 Coatings

This work investigates the effects of high-current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) irradiation on multi-layered TiN/TiCN/Al2O3 coatings deposited via chemical vapor deposition onto cemented carbide substrates. The study focuses on analyzing the impact of irradiation pulses on the phase composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, and cutting performance of these coatings. The results demonstrate that the multilayered TiN/TiCN/Al2O3 coatings exhibit a smooth surface with enhanced mechanical performance after HCPEB irradiation. Notably, the coating irradiated with 5 pulses achieves a maximum hardness of approximately 28.48 GPa, displaying improved wear resistance and cutting performance. These improvements can be primarily attributed to the enhancements in hardness and elastic modulus, along with the generation of residual compressive stress in the 5-pulse irradiated coating.