摘要 |
A PVD coating, and in particular a nanoscale multilayer (superlattice) PVD coating comprising high hardness, a low friction coefficient and increased chemical inertness is provided. The coating comprises a composition (Vx Me (1-x)) Cy N (1-y) where 0.1 & x & 0.9; 0.01 & y & 0.99 and Me is a substantially pure metal or a metal alloy. Vanadium is incorporated within the layer composition and has been found to act as a lubricating agent during sliding wear. Carbon in the form of nitride is also incorporated within the coating and serves to further stabilise the friction coefficient thereby increasing the chemical inertness between cutting tool and workpiece material. The coating can be in the form of a single layer or a multi layer and can be used as part of a cutting tool. |