Citation :

Kolse Chandrashekhar Ashok, R. A. Kapgate, "Influence of Duplex Plasma Nitriding and PVD Hard Coatings on the Mechanical and Tribological Performance of Tool Steel," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 1-8, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I5P101

Abstract

Improving the durability of tooling and formation components remains one of their biggest issues. This is due to the severe wear, friction, and deterioration of the surfaces when exposed to high-concentration stresses. Another example of a commonly used surface engineering method is Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) coating and thermochemical treatment. The techniques are effective in enhancing the general effectiveness of the tool. The overall impact of plasma nitriding and PVD hard coating on tool steel was systematically studied in the current research. It was dedicated to the mechanical and tribological behaviour of the materials. TiCN and TiAlN were coated in order to enhance the surface hardness and wear resistance, following the production of a hardened diffusion layer through plasma nitriding, which was able to bear external loading. Mechanical characterization was also done using microhardness measurement and tribological performance by the use of a dry sliding wear test. The worn surfaces and the coating integrity were analysed by means of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The observation demonstrates that the surface hardness of the duplex-treated samples and the singly treated samples significantly differ in their wear rates and surface hardness. The result of the work develops a mechanistic base for higher hybrid surface treatment strategies. Moreover, they offer a reference framework for further optimization and experimental modeling of the engineering tools of surface forming.

Keywords

Nitriding of plasma, PVD hardened coating, TiAlN and TiCN coating, Tribological behaviour.

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