Balzers Presents a New Generation of PVD Coatings

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The first TiN coated twist drills by Balzers appeared on the market in 1980. Since then, PVD coatings contribute to the continuous performance improvement of tools in metal and plastic processing. Titanium compounds (TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, AlTiN, etc.) have almost exclusively determined industry standards. Exceptions, among others, are the carbon coatings (WC/C, DLC) developed by Balzers for precision components of vehicles and machines. These also have advantages as coatings for tools used in specific applications.

Balzers has now developed an entirely new generation of coatings that will push tools for metal working to thus far unknown performance limits. This leap forward is made possible by AlCrN based coatings which clearly exceed the performance of titanium based coatings. After intensive development efforts, Balzers is the first and only company to produce AlCrN based coatings that meet all requirements of successful practical application. The corresponding patent is pending.

G6, the new generation of AlCrN based coatings, is characterised by substantially greater wear resistance. In systematic test series, considerably longer service life was demonstrated in comparison with currently available coatings. AlCrN based coatings are more oxidation resistant and have a markedly greater hot hardness than conventional coatings. This means they are stable even under extremely high thermal load and generally perform better.

Performance limits are clearly increased when AlCrN coated tools are used for milling (up to 55 HRC). For example, when finishing Ck45 steel at cutting speeds of both 200 m/min and 400 m/min, AlCrN coated milling cutters attained a substantially longer service life than TiCN and TiAlN coated cutters.

These tests were carried out in a newly established machining lab that makes it possible for Balzers to proceed immediately to the testing of coated tools under real-life conditions and use the results to advance development efficiently and with well-defined objectives. On the basis of the G6 coating generation, the development of BALINIT® coatings is directed specifically toward applications that allow the coating and re-coating of both carbide and HSS tools. The first G6 BALINIT® coating by Balzers offers great promise.

For more information contact Torsten Doering, marketing director, at (716) 564-8557 ext. 1110, or via e-mail at torsten.doering@balzers.com. The company’s Web site is [www.balzers.com].