On the application of thermal plasma processing for manufacturing “smart” tools in the practice of industrial enterprises

Due to the need for import substitution of expensive imported tools (case cutters, monolithic cutters, drills, reamers, taps, broaches, measuring tools, etc.), a comprehensive vacuum heat treatment technology was developed at JSC Obukhov Plant, which made it possible to increase not only the mechanical properties as a result of volumetric hardening, but also the quality of surface, which further provides the necessary properties and technology of finishing thermo-plasma treatment with the application of special smart coatings. Practical mastery of technological processes allowed to develop a number of recommendations for applying smart coatings of various chemical compositions during vacuum heat treatment: 1. Nitrides and carbonitrides are used as a wear-resistant coating for cutting tools. These are used on tools for processing carbon, hardened or cemented steel, as well as cast iron, aluminum alloys, and non-ferrous metals, in such technological operations as drilling, milling, turning, trimming, cutting, forming, threading, embossing. 2. Oxynitrides (СrONAl, AlTiNO, TiСrON, TiNAlO) have a general gross formula МхOyNz, where М – Ti, Zr, Сr, Al, Nb, Ta, V, W, Si, and are used as wear-resistant, thermal barrier coatings for processing hardened and hardened steel during drilling, milling, turning, cutting with increased feed. 3. Diamond-like films (DLC – Diamond-Like Carbon, W-DLC – W-containing Diamond-Like Carbon) are used as wear-resistant, anti-adhesive coatings, can be used in any technological operations in the processing of these metals. The aim of the article is to experimentally substantiate the expansion of the capabilities of technological processes and tasks of tool production departments of industrial enterprises in the direction of acquiring competencies in applying functional smart coatings, as well as to substantiate the localization of thermo-vacuum and thermo-plasma treatment processes within a relatively independent research and production unit – center for the production of smart tools with thermo-plasma treatment