The influence of different types of cemented carbide blades and thickness of TiAlN/a-C:N and TiN/AlTiN protective coatings used in the wood industry on cutting performance has been studied. Three types of WC-Co cemented carbide blades with different cobalt content were used in the study. The thicknesses of both types of coatings were ~2 and ~5 µm. The structure, chemical and phase composition were studied using transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), X-ray dispersion spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The adhesion was evaluated by scratch test. Nanohardness and durability tests of uncoated and coated blades were performed. We found that the blades covered with 5 µm TiN/AlTiN coatings exhibited the best durability characteristic. The cutting distances were within the range ~6700-~7080 depending on the substrates in comparison with pure substrates (~4300-~4900) and 2 µm TiN/AlTiN coatings (~5400-~6600). The presence of a thin and soft outer a-C:N layer aggravates the nanohardness and durability of the coated blades.
Keywords: AlTiN; PVD method; a-C:N coatings; tool durability tests; wood machining.