Material transfer phenomena and failure mechanisms of a nanostructured Cr–Al–N coating in laboratory wear tests and an industrial punch tool application

In this research, CrAlN and TiN coatings were deposited on AISI M2 tool steel substrate test coupons and on industrial punch tools by electron beam plasma-assisted physical vapour deposition (EB-PAPVD). The microstructure and morphology of the coatings were investigated by XRD, XPS, TEM, and SEM with EDX. Pin-on-disc tribotests were conducted on the coatings against AISI 52100 steel counterface material in order to investigate their wear...