Dev Banerjee, Kennametal, Latrobe, PA
Almost all tools used to machine metals and alloys, and some for machining emerging materials such as carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRP), powder metallurgy processed alloys, solid graphite etc are coated by either a CVD or a PVD process. The substrates are primarily made of cemented carbide, cermets, ceramics or cubic BN, high speed tool taking a backseat in a low performing range. Among the various application types, CVD coatings have been almost exclusively used in turning tools, even though some new CVD coatings are finding applications in niche milling applications. The CVD coating materials, coating architecture and CVD coating reactors used are somewhat unique for this industry. This talk will explore some of these uniqueness, their evolution and trends, and recent challenges faced by the CVD coating technologists in the metalcutting industry.