Non-destructive chemical analysis of the tool-chip wear zone
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Linköpings universitet - Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 487 000 |
| Project duration | November 2018 - December 2020 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Research infrastructure - utilisation and collaboration |
| Call | Research infrastructure - utilisation and collaboration: Industrial pilot projects for neutron and photon experiments at large scale research infrastructures - 2018 |
| End-of-project report | 2018-04417_SecoTools.pdf (pdf, 143 kB) |
Purpose and goal
The goal of this project was to explore non-destructive analysis techniques to deepen the knowledge of the tool and workpiece material interactions in the tool-chip contact zone, and in the long run to understand the chemistry in the wear zone by in operando measurements. Such knowledge is of great importance to Seco Tools in the further development of our products. EXAFS and XANES were successfully conducted on worn edges of TiAlN coated tools. The results reveal that it is possible to track microstructural and chemical changes in the coatings by a combination of XANES and EXAFS.
Expected results and effects
XANES and EXAFS experiments on the as-deposited tools reveal that we can detect changes in the atomic structure using both techniques. For the worn samples, both XANES and EXAFS experiments revealed changes in the TiAlN structure across the contact zone of the tool. Additional analysis by STEM reveal that nm-sized domains enriched in TiN has formed in the coating during use of the tool. Thus, the XANES and EXAFS experiments has shown to be sensitive tools to pick up small changes in the coating structure. This information will be valuable in future experiments.
Planned approach and implementation
TiAlN coated WC-Co tools were prepared by arc evaporation and run in turning of stainless steel (316L). The worn samples were studied by SEM/EDS and tools selected for further analysis using XANES and EXAFS at Balder, Max IV. XANES line scans were performed across the worn edge, using a beam size of approximately 50 x 200 µm2. For Fe-K and Cr-K edges, six points of interest were chosen along the line. Additional EXAFS measurements were performed in the middle of the worn area of the tool. Complementary analysis was performed by STEM on samples prepared in the middle of the worn region by FIB.