Modification of TiN coatings by Ion Implantation

The high-speed steel HS 6-5-2 cutting inserts coated with TiN were subjected to ion implantation with both silicon (dose 2×10¹⁷Si⁺/cm²) and silicon with nitrogen ions (dose (1+1)×10¹⁷(Si⁺ + N⁺)/cm²) on the subsurface layer of the rake face. Microhardness was examined before and after ion implantation. The composition and structural properties of the subsurface layer were examined by Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GD-OES). The turning tests of 40H construction steel with the use of the cutting inserts implanted and non-implanted were performed. During the tests the two components of the net cutting force (the main cutting force F_c and feed force F_f) as well as the wear parameters VB on the major flankalong with the surface roughness (Ra) were measured. The implanted inserts exhibited higher durability compared to non-implanted ones.