Machining on AISI 1020 using monolayer vanadium nitride coated tool bit

Abstract

AISI-SAE 1020 steel was machined using high speed steel ASSAB 17 tool bit as reference and a tool bit coated with vanadium nitride (VN) monolayer. The coating process was carried out by the Magnetron Sputtering Physical Vapor Deposition technique. The experiment was based on temperature measures during the chip removal, with both burins, the coated and uncoated tool. The wear resistance of the tools was characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy and workpieces' surfaces were evaluated using Atomic Force Microscopy and Roughness tester. It was observed that the use of monolayer VN coatings on high speed steel reduces the adhesive wear of the tool, and the energy transfer during the cutting process. For this reason, the VN coating offers advantages in its application to chip removal process of ferrous metals by increasing the tool life, improving the quality of work pieces, and reducing cutting process time and cost.