Abstract
Ti alloys are important engineering alloys for advanced applications in aerospace engineering, airframe manufacture, and biomedical industries. However, Ti alloys are difficult-to-machine-materials because of their high chemical reactivity and low thermal conductivity. We attempted to improve the performance of cutting tools against Ti alloy by coating with B-C thin films containing Ti with high adhesive strength. Introduction of CH4 gas during the sputtering process reduced the friction coefficient of the B-C films from 0.6 to 0.2, although their hardness remained above 15 GPa. We carried out experiments to optimize the deposition conditions of B-C thin films containing Ti and also to improve cutting properties of Ti-B-C-coated tools against Ti alloy.
