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.
Ionbond Summer School
Discover all our lessons on Duplex Coatings
Lesson 1: The correct heat treatment of tool steels
Available on 31. July 2024
Duplex coatings are especially suited for forming and molding tools. Before we can get started with that, though, we need to take one step back and look at how your tool has been treated before it arrives at Ionbond – whether it has had the correct heat treatment.
Lesson 2: Plasma nitriding of tool steels
Available on 7. August 2024
We are diving into the plasma nitriding process, a nitriding method with high reproducibility and close tolerances in the treatment result. Discover what it is exactly!
Lesson 3: Duplex coatings and their layer properties & performance
Available on 14. August 2024
We will look at the result of plasma nitriding. Two layers form, each with their own characteristics – some of which are very much desired and others are not.
Lesson 4: Shallow plasma nitriding plus Ionbond™ 35 & Ionbond™ 90
Available on 21. August 2024
We are going into one of the two types of duplex coating we will discuss. These two ways are differentiated by the depth of the plasma nitriding layer. In this lesson: shallow plasma nitriding.
Lesson 5: Deep plasma nitriding plus Ionbond™ 90
Available on 28. August 2024
In Lesson 4 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.
Questions?
Discutez vos défis avec Tobias Brögelmann
Tobias Brögelmann, Responsable du segment mondial Outils de formage et de moulage, se serons ravis de vous aider
Nous vous répondrons dès que possible.
Dr. Ing. Tobias Brögelmann
Responsable du segment mondial de outils de formage et de moulage
Dr. Ing. Tobias Brögelmann
Responsable du segment mondial de outils de formage et de moulage