Study of the tribological performance of pre- and post-heat treatment of AISI D2 steel with AlCrN coating under wet conditions

ABSTRACT

This study examined the impact of a combination of hardened and tempered surface change technologies and AlCrN coating on the tribological characteristics of AISID2 steel. The duplex surface change, such as the combination of a heat treatment at 600°C for 1 hr and a PVD (sputtering), archives the superior wear resistance and mechanical properties. AlCrN coating has been implemented in AISID2 steel after a hardened and tempered treatment. This process was carried out as part of an appropriate thermal treatment cycle in accordance with ASM Vol.2. Subsequently, the AlCrN coating synthesised by PVD (sputtering) improves the adhesion between the coatings and the AISID2 steel. The wear properties according to ASTMG99 have been tested with a typical load of 10N, 20N and 30N for a sliding distance of 6000 m with a constant velocity of 1.256 ms⁻¹ in wet conditions. Tests revealed that the AlCrN coating deposited on the hardened and tempered steel was more resistant to wear than the AlCrN coating applied to the unhardened steel. Therefore, it should be possible to implement the results of this study for forming operations with low COF and a low amount of resulting wear such as drawing and rolling in dies.

KEYWORDS:

• AlCrN Coating
• Pin-on-disc
• Surface modification
• Tribological properties
• Macroscopic and SEM

Nomenclature

Min	=	Minimum
Max	=	Maximum
m	=	Metre
μm	=	Micrometer
mg	=	Milligram
EDAX	=	Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Analysis
2Ѳ	=	Diffraction Angle
ASTM	=	American Society for Testing and Materials
EDS	=	Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy
PVD	=	Physical Vapor Deposition
%	=	Percentage
AlCrN	=	Aluminium Chromium Nitride
XRD	=	X-Ray Diffraction
λ	=	X

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Scope for future research

• Measurement of the adhesive strength of TiAlN, AlCrN and TiCN coating with unhardened and hardened and tempered steel substrate.

• Performance Analysis of Cryogenically treated and TiAlN, AlCrN and TiCN coated cutting tools

• Carbon fibre composite Bone Plates

• A new ceramic material for human bone replacement

• Measurement of the adhesive strength of TiAlN, AlCrN and TiCN coating with unhardened and hardened and tempered steel substrate.

Author contribution

• Conception or design of the work.

• Data collection.

• Data analysis and interpretation.

• Drafting the article.

• Critical revision of the article.

• Final approval of the version to be published.

Additional information

Funding

Not applicable.

Notes on contributors

Vijayasarathi Prabakaran

Vijayasarathi Prabakaran, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Veltech Hightech Dr Rangarajan Dr Sakunthala Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

R. Palani

R. Palani, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Veltech Hightech Dr Rangarajan Dr Sakunthala Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Pandi Saran

Pandi Saran, Final year student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Veltech Hightech Dr Rangarajan Dr Sakunthala Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

S. Jenef

S. Jenef, Final year student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Veltech Hightech Dr Rangarajan Dr Sakunthala Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.