Duplex Coatings - Lesson 5: Deep plasma nitriding plus Ionbond™ 90
This is it, the final lesson in our Summer School program! Last time, we looked at shallow plasma nitriding. Now, we are going to look into duplex coatings for the most demanding applications, which require much deeper plasma nitriding layers.
Deep nitriding increases the load-bearing capacity of the surface
For the most demanding forming applications, e.g. stamping advanced high-strength steels (AHSS), a high load-carrying capability of the duplex-coated tool is essential. That enables reliable performance of the tool during its service lifetime. To ensure this high durability and impact fatigue resistance, a nitriding hardness depth (NHD) of more than 50 µm is required. To achieve this depth, Ionbond runs dedicated plasma nitriding machines, which ensure homogenous plasma nitriding of different forming and molding tools in one batch, even with complex shapes. This economical surface treatment contributes to homogeneous surface properties. The subsequent PVD coating needs to be done in a separate machine. After plasma nitriding – including pre- and post-treatment steps like cleaning, outgassing, cooling and blasting – the tools are transferred to the PVD machine for coating.
Good adhesion and smooth hardness gradient
The figures below display cross sectional images made by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the duplex coating Ionbond™ 90 on hot work steel AISI H13 (DIN 1.2344, X40CrMoV5-1). By selecting suitable process parameters during deep plasma nitriding, we achieve a H13 surface hardness of 1290 HV0.2 and a NDH of 205 µm. The SEM image demonstrates strong bonding between the PVD coating and the steel, and no visible compound layer.
The hardness gradient of duplex Ionbond™ 90 in this two-stage process is again smooth.
Questions? Contact us!
That was the last lesson of our Summer School! We hope you enjoyed it and that you now understand in a lot more detail what considerations go into a high-quality duplex coating.
If this series has made you consider duplex coatings for any of your tools, do get in touch because we would love to help you find the best solution.
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Dr. Ing. Tobias Brögelmann
Global Segment Manager Forming and Molding