Mechanical and cutting performance of cemented carbide tools with Cr/x/DLC composite coatings

Diamond-like carbon (DLC)-coated tools are suitable for the machining of various aluminum alloys, graphite, and other non-ferrous metals. The shortcomings of DLC-coated tools such as high internal residual stress, low toughness, and poor adhesion strength limit their application. In order to reveal the mechanical and cutting performance of DLC-coated tools, a DLC monolayer coating, Cr/CrN/DLC composite coating, and Cr/W-DLC/DLC composite coating had been prepared on the cemented carbide cutting tools. The influences of transition interlayer on the microstructure and mechanical properties of DLC coatings were analyzed. Tool lives, wear mechanism, and machined surface roughness obtained with uncoated cemented carbide tool, DLC monolayer-coated tool, and Cr/x/DLC-coated tool during the machining of Al-Si alloys were investigated. Compared with DLC monolayer coating, the strength ratio (ID/IG) of the DLC composite coatings with Cr/x transition structure was improved, while the sp(3) covalent bond contents was decreased. The results show that the adhesion strength and toughness of the Cr/x/DLC composite coating were enhanced, and the residual stress was greatly reduced. The cutting tests further indicate that the DLC coating significantly improved the tool life. Based on comprehensive evaluation, the Cr/W-DLC/DLC composite coating has the highest adhesion, highest toughness, the lowest residual stress, and the longest tool life, and it is suitable for the machining of non-ferrous metal.