| TREATMENT |
ALSO KNOWN AS |
DESCRIPTION /
CHARACTERISTICS |
PERFORMANCE |
APPLICATIONS |
PRECAUTIONS |
ALUMINUM
TITANIUM
NITRIDE (AlTiN) |
|
A black multi-layered coating of Aluminum
Titanium Nitride is produced by the physical vapor deposition
(PVD) process. The coating is about .0001”
thickenss and is exceptionally hard (approximately 4400 Vickers hardness).
AITiN has a very low coefficient of friction to reduce chip welding
and tools can be operated at 25-40% faster feeds and speeds than TiN. |
AITiN coated tools last up to 1000% longer
than TiN coated solid carbide tools when machining hard abrasive
materials and high temperature alloys. Can be used for ferrous and
non-ferrous metals. |
AITiN was designed specifically for use
on solid carbide cutting tools to machine hard abrasive materials
and hardened steels. It is used for high speed (semi-dry & dry) machining
and where higher temperatures are generated. |
AITiN coated tools oxidize at about 1650°F. |
| BLACK OXIDE |
Blue Finish Steam Finish |
A black finish is produced by immersing tool in a hot oxidizing salt
solution. During this treatment all grinding stresses are relieved to improve toughness of
tool. Finish is rust resistant and helps prevent metal to metal contact in machining
operations. This finish reduces galling and chip welding and enables tool surface to
absorb more lubricant. |
|
Used for free machining steels, low carbon steels,
stainless steels, and ferrous metals (iron based). |
Black Oxide has tendency to cause galling and chip loading
in some non-ferrous applications. |
| GOLD FINISH |
Amber Finish Bronze Finish Gold Oxide |
A gold finish is produced by a low temperature heat
treatment. During this treatment all grinding stresses are relieved to improve the
toughness of the tool. |
The goal of this heat treatment is identification and
sales appeal, not performance. Gold Finish Tools perform the same as Black Oxide or
Polished Finish Tools. |
Used primarily to identify cutting tools made of cobalt;
however, any grade of high speed steel can be "gold" heat treated. |
Some cutting tools made of high speed
steel that have a gold or a gold and black finish are erroneously
sold as a premium super steel or even as cobalt. |
| POLISHED FINISH |
Bright Finish |
The polished finish is the result of fine finish grinding
and is standard on all ICS cutting tools. While not an actual surface treatment, the
smooth surface decreases chip friction and loading. |
|
Used for non-ferrous and ferrous metals where there is a
tendency for chips to cling to surface of cutting tool. |
|
TITANIUM ALUMINUM
NITRIDE (TiAlN) |
|
A purple multi-layered coating of Titanium
Aluminum Nitride is produced by the physical vapor deposition
(PVD) process. The coating is about .0001”
thickness and is very hard (approximately 2800 Vickers hardness). TiAIN
has a very high oxidation resistance (up to 1500°F) and can be
operated at 20-35% faster speeds and feeds than TiN. |
TiAIN coated tools last up to 1000% longer
than TiN when machining abrasive materials such as cast iron. It
was designed for very high speed performance. |
Used for Titanium and Nickel alloys,
stainless steels, hard abrasive materials, and whenever excessive
heat is generated on the cutting edge. |
TiAIN coated tools may have a tendancy
to gall in aluminum or brass. TiAIN coated tools oxidize at about
1500°F. |
| TITANIUM CARBONITRIDE
(TiCN) |
|
A gray multi-layered coating of Titanium
Carbonitride is produced by the physical vapor deposition
(PVD) process. The coating is about .0001" thickness and is
exceptionally hard (approximately 4000 Vickers
hardness). TiCN has a very low coefficient of friction to
reduce chip welding and tools can be operated at 15-
25% faster feeds and speeds than TiN. |
TiCN coated tools last up to 300% longer than TiN
when machining tool steels and abrasive materials.
The performance of TiCN coated HSS tools is
comparable to solid carbide tools. |
Used for alloy steels, tool steels,
and abrasive materials like cast iron
and high silicon aluminum alloys. |
TiCN coated tools may have a
tendency to gall in Ni or Ti alloys.
TiCN coated tools oxidize at about
750°F. |
| TITANIUM NITRIDE (TiN) |
Usually any trade name
ending with -Tanium suffix |
A bright gold coating of Titanium Nitride
is produced by the physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. The
coating is about .0001" thickness and is approximately Rc80
hardness. It refracts heat and acts as a thermal barrier between
the chip and the tool. TiN has a very low coefficient of friction
to reduce chip welding and tools can be operated at high speeds and
feeds. |
TiN coated tools last from 200 to 700%
longer than uncoated tools. Performance will vary by material and
cutting tool. The harder the base material of the tool, the more
effective TiN coating will be. |
Used for ferrous metals below Rc40 hardness
and for non-ferrous metals where increased metal removal rates signify
productivity. |
TiN coated tools have a tendency to gall
in Titanium and Titanium alloys. TiN coated tools oxide at approximately
900° F. |
| ZIRCONIUM COATED (ZrN) |
|
The bright silver/gold coating of Zirconium
Nitride is produced by the physical vapor deposition (PVD) process.
The coating is about .0001"
in thickness and is over 30% harder than TiN (approximately 3100 Vickers
hardness). ZrN has more lubricity, improved chemical resistance, and
better thermal stability at higher temperatures. |
ZrN coated tools last from 200 to 1000% longer than
uncoated tools and up to 500% longer than TiN when drilling grey iron and brass.
Performance will vary by material and tool. |
Used for aluminum alloys, cast iron, high temperature
alloys, stainless steels, and non-ferrous metals. Also very effective in glass filled
plastics and wood. |
ZrN coated tools oxide at approximately 1100° F. |
