Low-temperature and high-temperature thermochemical hardening technologies for hard alloys

The new surface hardening methods for hard alloys are developed: (1) high-temperature process for producing multicomponent carbide coatings by thermochemical heat treatment of hard alloys at 1050 degrees C and (2) low-temperature process for producing thin-film coatings by chemical treatment of hard alloys in specially prepared aqueous suspensions of nanosized hard refractory compounds and subsequent tempering (minimal temperature is 130 degrees C). The structure and properties of the obtained coatings are examined. The coatings permit improving substantially the service life of cutting tools.