Research on micro-texture and coating preparation process strategy for macro and micro properties of cemented carbide surface

Surface coating and micro-texture technologies can act synergistically to enhance the performance of cutting tools. However, the strengthening mechanisms and the influence of composite processes on the surface properties of tool materials still require comprehensive investigation from a microstructural perspective. In this study, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Vickers microhardness testing, friction and wear test, and nanoindentation techniques are employed to elucidate the regulation mechanisms of macro- and micro-scale surface properties of cemented carbide induced by the combined preparation process of micro-texture and coating. The findings indicate that when micro-texture is performed prior to coating deposition, the samples exhibit notable advantages in surface morphology, grain refinement, coating resistance to plastic deformation, microhardness, and tribological performance. Compared with non-textured coated sample, the grain size, coating resistance to plastic deformation, coating microhardness, friction force, and wear rate improved by 24 %, 20 %, 14 %, 13 %, and 36 %, respectively. Adhesive wear is identified as the dominant wear mechanism, and it is further demonstrated that the fractal dimension of wear surface images provides a quantitative metric for characterizing the extent of surface damage.