Induction surface hardening of hard coated steels

The deposition of hard coatings with CVD-processes is commonly used to improve the wear resistance e.g. of tool steels in forming. The advantages of CVD are undisputed (high deposition rates with simple equipment, excellent coating properties). Nevertheless, the disadvantage of the CVD-process is the high deposition temperature, consequently the properties of steel substrates are negatively influenced. Therefore, a subsequent heat treatment of the coated steels is necessary to restore the properties of steels ready for operation. Induction surface hardening is used as a method of heat treatment after the deposition of TiN hard coatings on steel substrates. Influences of both the coating properties and the substrate properties are discussed in dependence on the parameters of induction heating. Thereby the heating time, heating atmosphere and the power input into the specimen are changed. The effect of induction surface hardening on the properties of the coating-substrate-systems is mainly characterized using investigations of microstructure and chemical composition as well as measurements of hardness and residual stresses in dependence on the distance from the surface. Furthermore, the scratch test is used to estimate critical loads for cohesive and adhesive failure of the coatings. Additionally, distortion measurements are carried out. The results emphasize the advantage of induction surface hardening as a method of subsequent heat treatment of CVD-coated steels.