Stress-controlled decomposition routes in cubic AlCrN films assessed by in-situ high-temperature high-energy grazing incidence transmission X-ray diffraction

Application of Integrated BWM Fuzzy-MARCOS Approach for Coating Material Selection in Tooling Industries

The life of metal forming dies and the efficiency of tooling industries depends on the mechanical and wear properties of tool steel. These properties can be further improved by depositing the ceramic coating on heat-treated tool steel. Numerous coating materials with various excellent features are already available commercially; however, the selection of the best coating material is still an immense challenge for users. Compared to various studies related to material selection problems in the contrasting area of utilization, remarkably, little research work has been done in tooling industries. In the present work, we have identified eight coating materials (alternatives) and nine evaluation criteria under the consultation of an expert in the tooling application and tribological field. To deal with this coating material selection problem, an integrated fuzzy-multi attributed decision-making method is proposed which comprises best worst method and fuzzy-Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution method. This integrated fuzzy- multi attributed decision-making method is used to evaluate the alternatives, and the obtained results were scrutinized via utilizing various sensitivity analysis procedures. In the first phase of analysis, seven scenarios of criteria weight change were used, which was derived by the best-worst method; dynamic matrices are used in the second phase of analysis. In the third and fourth phases, obtained ranks were compared with those obtained by different weight calculation methods and ranking methods, respectively. In the present study, AlCrN/TiAlN coating (alternative Cm₅) was found to be the best coating material based on the results obtained after sensitivity analysis. Further, in this study, we have proposed a novel method that helps to solve the coating material selection problem or any kind of selection complications.

Quo Vadis: AlCr-Based Coatings in Industrial Applications

AlCr-based hard nitride coatings with different chemical compositions and architectures have been successfully developed and applied over the last few decades. Coating properties are mainly influenced by deposition conditions and the Al/Cr content. The fcc structure is dominant for an Al-content up to Al0.7Cr0.3N and is preferred for most cutting applications. Different (AlCrX)N alloying concepts, including X = Si, W, B, V, have been investigated in order to enhance oxidation resistance and wear behaviour and to provide tribological properties. AlCr-based oxynitrides and even pure oxides (Al1−xCrx)2O3 with different crystalline structures have been explored. Multi- and nanolayered coatings within the AlCr materials system, as well as in combination with (TiSi)N, for example, have also been implemented industrially. The dominant deposition technology is the vacuum arc process. Recently, advanced high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) processes have also been successfully applied on an industrial scale. This paper describes basic coating properties and briefly addresses the main aspects of the coating processes as well as selected industrial applications.