Improved tool performance by application of heat-spreading diamond layers within a multilayer coating?

A thermal model created with the general purpose FEM/ANSYS program allowed the simulation of various multilayer coatings on tools and the corresponding temperature distributions that occurred during metal cutting operations. Heavy duty metal cutting tools could considerably benefit from surface temperature reductions based on a thick heat-spreading diamond underlayer integrated in a multilayer coating on the tool. Thus, a significant increase of cutting speeds, without using cooling fluids, could be achieved. Such developments require a sophisticated tool design with appropriate materials and shapes. Experimental work must confirm the industrial feasibility of such coatings.