Investigation of high-temperature wear behavior of coatings deposited on H13 steel via cathodic arc PVD method

Wear directly influences component lifespan, maintenance costs, and efficiency losses. Nitride coatings deposited via the PVD method are an effective solution to enhance the durability of parts exposed to wear and corrosion. This study investigates the high-temperature wear behavior of TiN, AlTiN, TiSiN, AlTiSiN, AlCrN, AlTiCrN, CrN, CrCN, and TiCN coatings produced by PVD. Coating thicknesses, surface chemical compositions, and morphologies were analyzed using SEM and AFM. Adhesion was evaluated through Rockwell C indentation, hardness via microhardness testing, and phase structures by X-ray diffraction. Wear tests were conducted under 2.5 and 5 N loads at 25°C, 300°C, and 600°C. Wear track volumes were measured using a 3D optical profilometer, while elemental analyses were performed using SEM-EDS. Additionally, these coatings were practically tested on drill tools to assess their real-world performance. The results showed that the wear properties of the coatings were highly temperature-dependent. AlTiCrN exhibited the highest wear resistance at elevated temperatures, outperforming the other coatings and proving to be a strong candidate for high-temperature applications.