Edge pre-treatment
The edge pre-treatment is a very important process in a turnkey system designed to utilize the full potential of a coating.
The main aim of edge pre-treatment is to increase the edge’s stability and thus the tool’s performance.
Advantages of cutting-edge rounding:
- Reduces chipping
- Reduces what is referred to as an "antenna effect" in PVD coatings on sharp edges and thus reduces the stress in the coating
- The more an edge is rounded, the thicker the coatings can be
- Higher cutting-edge stability
- Avoids cutting-edge breakouts and flaking of the coating during the machining process
- Increase of the tool’s lifespan despite a "blunt" cutting-edge
Post-treatment
One of the problems that can arise without post-treatment of the surfaces is the jamming of the chips, which can cause a tool such as a drill to break
Objectives of post-treatment:
- Removal of droplets after coating
- Reduction of surface roughness
- Improved chip-flow
If the post-treatment is too intense, the edge will become exposed
Exposed edges will lead to:
- Immediate full and direct contact of the cutting-edge with the workpiece material
- Low heat and chemical isolation
- Low coating thickness near the cutting-edge
- A larger cutting-edge radius, which results in a larger surface area without coating
- The impression of a defective coating
Different materials and tools require different methods of pre- and post-treatment
The most common edge pre-treatment methods are dry blasting, wet blasting, drag grinding, brushing and magnet finish.
The most common post-treatment methods include wet blasting, drag grinding and polishing.
PLATIT has a broad competence and offers as well as integrates all products necessary for the turnkey system. Find more information about the pre- and post-treatment procedures in our compendium p.87 - p.105 by clicking here or contacting us directly.