The potential of using the laser ablation process to perform controlled stripping of titanium aluminium nitrite (TiAlN) coating from tungsten carbide (WC) substrate is explored in this paper. TiAlN coatings are extensively used in cutting tools to improve machining capability, and to extend the life of the tools. However, if any error is detected on the coated tools, or when the tooling needs to be reused, it is mandatory to remove the existing coating to facilitate reshaping/recoating. The existing coating removal process uses chemical stripping methods, which are not environmentally friendly and not suitable for selective coating removal. In the present work, excimer laser removal of TiAlN from coated WC flat plates has been studied and demonstrated as a viable alternative to existing chemical stripping methods. The ablation thresholds of the TiAlN coating and WC substrate were identified as 1.85 J/cm2 and 2.3 J/cm2 respectively. The paper also presents experimental and theoretical evidence of the process mechanism responsible for laser stripping of TiAlN coatings
MativengaP. T.HonK. K. B.Wear and cutting forces in high-speed machining of H13 using physical vapour deposition coated carbide tools. ProcIMechE, Part B: J. Engng Manuf., 2005, 219(2), 191–199.
2.
KumarC. R. K.NairP. K.RamamoorthyB.Performance of TiCN and TiAlN tools in machining hardened steel under dry, wet and minimum fluid application. Int. J. Machin. Machinabil. Mater., 2008, 3(1–2), 133–142.
3.
KhraisS. K.LinY. J.Wear mechanisms and tool performance of TiAlN PVD coated inserts during machining of AISI 4140 steel. Wear, 2007, 262(1–2), 64–69.
4.
RechJ.ClaudinC.GrzesikW.ZaliszZ.Characterization of the friction properties of various coatings at the tool – chip – workpiece interfaces in dry machining of AISI 4140 steel. Proc IMechE, Part J: J. Eng. Tribol., 2008, 222(4), 617.
5.
PerryA. J.The adhesion of chemically vapour-deposited hard coatings to steel: The scratch test. Thin Solid Films, 1981, 78(1), 77–94.
6.
StaiaM. H.D’AlessandriaM.QuintoD. T.RoudetF.AstortM. M.High-temperature tribological characterization of commercial TiAlN coatings. J. Phys.: Condens. Mat., 2006, 18(32), S1727–S1736.
7.
SenY.UrgenM.KazmanliK.CakirA. F.Stripping of CrN from CrN-coated high-speed steels. Surf. Coat. Technol., 1999, 113(1–2), 31–35.
BonacchiD.RizziG.BardiU.ScrivaniA.Chemical stripping of ceramic films of titanium aluminum nitride from hard metal substrates. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2003, 165(1), 35–39.
10.
StewartR.LiL.IsherwoodR.Multiple pulse heating cycles during the enclosed laser ablation of a laminated metallized polymer. Proc. IMechE, Part B: J. Engng Manuf., 2002, 216(10), 1373–1384.
11.
LuY. F.SongW. D.HongM. H.RenZ. M.ChenQ.ChongT. C.Laser cleaning of IC mould and its real-time monitoring. Jpn J. Appl. Phys. 1, 2000, 39(8), 4811–4813.
12.
WaltersC. T.CampbellB. E.HullR. J.Laser cleaning of metal surfaces. Proc. SPIE, 1998, 3343, 859–865.
13.
PsyllakiP.PasquetP.MejaP.OltraR.AutricM.Laser cleaning of steels after high temperature oxidation. In Proceedings of Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe, Nice, France, 15 September 2000. DOI: 10.1109/CLEOE.2000.90971310.1109/CLEOE.2000.909713.
14.
DowdingC. F.LawrenceJ.Excimer laser machining of bisphenol A polycarbonate under closed immersion filtered water with varying flow velocities and the effects on the etch rate. Proc. IMechE, Part B: J. Engng Manuf., 2010, 224(10), 1469–1480.
15.
DyerP. E.FarleyR. J.GiedlR.KarnakisD. M.Excimer laser ablation of polymers and glasses for grating fabrication. Appl. Surf. Sci., 1996, 96–98, 537–549.
16.
MannK.Wolff-RottkeB.MullerF.Cleaning of optical surfaces by excimer laser radiation. Appl. Surf. Sci., 1996, 96–98, 463–468.
17.
MeunierM.WuX.BeaudoinF.SacherE.Simard-NormandinM.Excimer laser cleaning for microelectronics: Modeling, applications and challenges. Proc. SPIE, 1999, 3618, 290–301.
18.
PanA.ChiussiS.SerraJ.GonzálezP.LeónB.Excimer laser removal of beeswax from galician granite monuments. J. Cultural Heritage, 10(1), 48–52.
19.
SundarM.WhiteheadD.MativengaP. T.LiL.CookeK. E.Excimer laser decoating of chromium titanium aluminium nitride to facilitate reuse of cutting tools. Opt. Laser Technol., 2009, 41(8), 938–944.
20.
MarimuthuS.KamaraA. M.WhiteheadD.MativengaP.LiL.Laser removal of TiN coatings from WC micro-tools and in-process monitoring. Opt. Laser Technol., 2010, 42(8), 1233–1239.
21.
QuesadaF.MarinoA.RestrepoE.TiAlN coatings deposited by r.f. magnetron sputtering on previously treated ASTM A36 steel. Surf. Coat. Technol., 2006, 201(6), 2925–2929.
22.
HechtE.Optics, 2002 (Addison Wesley, San Francisco).
23.
LawrenceJ.LiL.Determination of absorption length of CO2 and high power diode laser radiation for ordinary Portland cement and its influence on the depth of melting. Opt. Laser Technol., 2000, 32(1), 11–14.
24.
AndrewJ. E.DyerP. E.ForsterD.KeyP. H.Direct etching of polymeric materials using a XeCl laser. Appl. Phys. Lett., 1983, 43(8), 717–719.
25.
SchmidtM. J. J.LiL.SpencerJ. T.Removal of chlorinated rubber coatings from concrete surfaces using an RF excited CO2 laser. J. Mater. Process. Technol., 2001, 114(2), 139–144.
26.
GeigerM.PoppU.EngelU.Excimer laser micro texturing of cold forging tool surfaces: Influence on tool life. CIRP Ann. Manuf. Technol., 2002, 51(1), 231–234.
27.
MativengaP.AbukhshimN.SheikhM.HonB.An Investigation of Tool Chip Contact Phenomena in High-Speed Turning Using Coated Tools. Proc. IMechE, Part B: J. Engng Manuf., 2006, 220(5), 657–667.
28.
PaekU. C.KestenbaumA.Thermal analysis of thin-film micromachining with lasers. J. Appl. Phys., 1973, 44(5), 2260–2268.
