Title: Improvement of tool life of die-casting tools with duplex treatment

Authors: Mirko Sokovic, Peter Panjan, Miha Cekada

Addresses: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 6, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. ' Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. ' Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract: A comparative tool life test of protected tools was made in aluminium die-casting of driving wheels for automobiles with two types of cores in one casting plate. One set of cores was improved with plasma nitriding process, while another one was improved with duplex treatment (plasma nitriding + PVD CrN coating). After 2700 and 4150 shots, surfaces on both types of tools were analysed using optical and scanning electron microscopes to identify damages of tool working surfaces. The performance tests, made under real manufacturing conditions, showed that wear of duplex treated tool is smaller compare to only plasma nitrided tool.

Keywords: aluminium die casting; duplex treatment; PVD CrN coatings; plasma nitriding; tool life; driving wheels; automotive wheels; automobile industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2006.010629

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2006 Vol.1 No.2, pp.231 - 240

Published online: 09 Aug 2006 *

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