Use of laser ablation for formation of discontinuous (discrete) wear-resistant coatings formed on solid carbide cutting tool by electron beam alloying and vacuum-arc deposition

A technological process of solid carbide cutting tool surface treatment by selective laser ablation of wear-resistant coating is described. Discontinuous coating is achieved by laser ablation of pre-deposited complex coating, formed by NbHfTi electron beam alloying with subsequent vacuum arc (TiAl)N coating. It is shown that this treatment helps to slow down the wearing process of cutting inserts on their rake and flank surfaces, thus increasing the tool lifetime.