Effect of Substrate Bias and Coating Thickness on the Properties of nc-AlCrN/a-Si<sub>x</sub>N<sub>y</sub> Hard Coating and Determination of Cutting Parameters

Nitride hard coatings Al25.5Cr21Si3.5N were deposited on WC-Co substrates with a different thickness and a negative substrate bias voltage by the LAteral Rotating Cathodes Arc technology. The nanoindentation tests were performed for analysis of AlCrSiN coatings in order to determine the most promising combination of parameters for subsequent machining. On the basis of results of nanohardness measurement and Ratio H/E*, which represents the resistance to plastic deformation and cracking, deposition conditions were selected for coating of turning cemented carbide inserts. For the evaluation of coating adhesion to substrate, Mercedes adhesion test was used. Chip forming tests and long-term tool life tests were performed for determination of cutting parameters (cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut) for AlCrSiN coated cemented carbide inserts when machining austenitic stainless steel material.