The computer simulation of critical compressive stresses on the PVD coatings

The aim of this research is the computer simulation of critical compressive stresses on coatings TiN and Ti+TiN, obtained in the magnetron PVD process on the sintered high-speed steel of the ASP 30. Computer simulation of stresses was carried out in ANSYS environment, using the FEM method and the experimental values of stresses were determined based on the X-ray diffraction patterns. The computer simulation results correlate with the experimental results. The presented model meets the initial criteria, which gives ground to the assumption about its usability for determining the stresses in coatings, employing the finite element method using the ANSYS programme. In order to evaluate with more details the possibility of applying these coatings in tools, further computer simulation should be concentrated on the determination of other properties of the coatings for example – microhardness. [Received 10 November 2006, Accepted 13 January 2007]