Hardcoating Technologies offers full range of proven advanced cutting tool coatings for drills and milling tools

Unlike the arc PVD process, which melts the coating material onto the substrate, the Cemecon HiPIMS process transfers the coating material directly from a solid to a gaseous state. As a result, the process does not cause the formation of droplets, bead-shaped macro particles on the coating surface. This results in extremely smooth coatings. In addition, the temperature ranges in which sputter PVD coatings can be produced are substantially lower than in CVD processes. In theory, there is no limit on the choice of elements, unlike the arc PVD and CVD processes. Sputter technology opens up a wealth of opportunities with regards to the selection and combination of coating materials. Explains Mark Dixon, senior coating technician, HTL: "HiPIMS power nitride coating offers next-generation performance, compared to the existing super nitride coatings. The high energy power pulses used in the process have a number of performance benefits, including better adhesion, much higher oxidisation temperature and better wear resistance, which combine to extend the service life for coated tools." The latest coating technology offered by the HTL is HiPulse Hard. A second generation nano-structured 'power nitride' coating, HiPulse Hard offers significant performance benefits when machining extremely hard materials of 50-plus HRc, and difficult-to-cut materials. These include mould and die tool steels, such as P20, Stavax and D2, as well as duplex stainless steel and most heat-resistant super alloys. A premium coating, the HiPulse Hard optimised lattice structure coating combines the extreme hardness of a high silicon-enhanced content with the excellent adhesion available with Cemecon HiPIMS technology, which has a more dense layer morphology and an improved hardness-to-toughness ratio, compared to conventional PVD technology. The extremely smooth droplet-free finish of the coating provides an optimum surface quality, reducing machining temperature by minimising friction. This is coupled with a very high oxidation resistance, which extends the cutting tool life expectancy by more than 300 per cent in most applications. Designed for wet, dry and MQL machining applications in industries producing components from high temperature alloys, such as turbines, chemical processing and exhaust gas turbochargers, as standard HiPulse Hard is applied as a 3 micron thick coating, however HiPulse Hard Thin is applied in just 1.5 micron. HTL's other premium PVD coatings include Cemecon 'Hyperlox' Aluminium Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), a popular proprietary formula that is now replacing the industry standard (TiAlN); Cemecon 'AluSpeed' Titanium Diboride (TiB2), one of the toughest coatings available, recommended for use with silicon aluminium and titanium alloys. As standard, the company is offering a 48 hour turnaround for customers, from receipt of the tool. And a free pick-up service on minimum order values, via the company's logistics partner UPS, will provide a full tracking system. "The industry standard is a week, with express services costing extra. We will match the express service at no extra cost, even with the advanced coatings," business development manager, Jason Hutt says.