An experimental investigation into the comparison of the performance characteristics of TiN and ZrN coatings on split point drills using the static and stochastic models of the force system as a signature

Abstract

This paper presents a comparison of the performance characteristics of TiN (Titanium nitride) and ZrN (Zirconium nitride) coatings on split point drills. The objective of this work was to choose the better coating for machining tough materials like INCONEL. This leads to an increased productivity of drilling holes in certain components of environmental control systems and fuel control systems (in aerospace industry) made of tough materials like INCONEL. The comparison of the performance characteristics was based on the measurement of the mean values and dynamic fluctuations of the cutting force and the number of holes drilled under the same optimum machining conditions. The measurements were carried out using two specially designed piezoelectric dynamometers. The dynamometer was calibrated from static and dynamic outputs and techniques were employed for increasing the measuring accuracy and reducing the cross interference by obtaining the elements of the tranfer function. Power spectrum plots of the drift force, axial force and torque were obtained so that these plots may be used as a signature. Results show that the ZrN coating is better than the TiN coating because (a) the mean values of the axialforce, drift force and torque are smaller, thus improving the roundness, (b) the dynamic flutuations of the forces and torque about the mean are smaller thus improving the surface quality of the holes produced, (c) the number of holes before the failure of the drill is about three times more for a ZrN coated split point drill as compared to a TiN coated drill.