Thermal Investigation of Al2O3 Thin Films for Application in Cutting Operations

Crystalline PVD γ-Al 2 O 3 coatings offer great potential for use in high-speed cutting operations. They offer specific high temperature features, like high hot hardness and high oxidation resistance. However, the reasons for the high thermal stability of this system are not clearly understood. In this paper, the phase and oxidation stability of thin γ-Al 2 O 3 films (as illustrated in the micrograph) are investigated.