An increase in the performance of cutting tools can be achieved by applying process-adapted coatings. At the Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Machine Tools (IFW) of Leibniz Universität Hannover, self-lubricating coatings are being investigated in a current research project. The friction-minimizing coatings are expected to achieve longer tool lives in the machining of aluminum than with established coatings.
"Novel coating systems such as chromium aluminum nitride coatings (Cr,Al,N) promise a high hardness similar to that of polycrystalline diamond. The addition of transition metals such as vanadium, tungsten or titanium also leads to the formation of self-lubricating Magnéli phases, which can reduce friction," explains project manager Markus Hein. Within a ZIM cooperation project with the company WOLF GmbH, a novel self-lubricating coating system based on Magnéli phases is to be developed in order to significantly reduce the friction of coated tools in machining.