International Journal of Engineering
Trends and Technology

Research Article | Open Access | Download PDF
Volume 74 | Issue 1 | Year 2026 | Article Id. IJETT-V74I1P116 | DOI : https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V74I1P116

The Effects of TiAlN Coated Carbide Inserts in Milling Hardened JIS SKD11 Cold Work Tool Steel


Kamaruddin Kamdani, Omar Mohd Faizan Marwah, Zazuli Mohid, Fathan Fadzulli

Received Revised Accepted Published
02 Jul 2025 05 Jan 2026 06 Jan 2026 14 Jan 2026

Citation :

Kamaruddin Kamdani, Omar Mohd Faizan Marwah, Zazuli Mohid, Fathan Fadzulli, "The Effects of TiAlN Coated Carbide Inserts in Milling Hardened JIS SKD11 Cold Work Tool Steel," International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 217-226, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V74I1P116

Abstract

This research explores the behaviour and performance of TiAlN-coated carbide inserts during the dry milling of hardened JIS SKD11 tool steel, especially in regard to tool life, wear mechanism, surface finish, vibration character, and chip formation during the operation at different cutting speeds and feed rates. Results of the study indicate that the cutting speed is the most influential of the die cutting parameters in determining the tool life, as the higher cutting speeds quickly lead to advanced wear of the tool and diminish the wear resistance of the tool significantly. A better surface finish was produced at lower feed and cutting speeds due to lesser thermal and mechanical loads on the cutting edge. At higher cutting speeds, advancing notch wear was the main mechanism of tool wear, while greater amounts of tool wear produced commensurately higher amounts of vibration and lesser machining stability. The morphology of the chips produced changed from continuous to segmented as the cutting temperature increased, indicative of thermal softening and cutting zone instability. The research is of great significance in demonstrating the behaviour of TiAlN-coated carbide inserts in hard milling and shows the necessity of ascertaining certain cutting parameters to optimize tooling and surface quality in machining hardened steels.

Keywords

TiAlN coating, Hard milling, JIS SKD11 steel, Tool wear, Tool life, Surface roughness, Vibration analysis, Chip formation.

References

[1] Vitor F.C. Sousa et al., “Characteristics and Wear Mechanisms of TiALN-based Coatings for Machining Applications: A Comprehensive Review,” Metals, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 1-49, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[2] Qinqiang Wang et al., “Effect of Milling Parameters on Machinability of SA508-3 Steel in High-Speed Milling with Uncoated and Coated Carbide Tools,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, vol. 238, no. 8, pp. 1157-1171, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[3] Gérard Poulachon et al., “The Influence of the Microstructure of Hardened Tool Steel Workpiece on the Wear of PCBN Cutting Tools,” International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 139-144, 2003.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[4] Sergey N. Grigoriev, Sergey V. Fedorov, and Khaled Hamdy, “Materials, Properties, Manufacturing Methods and Cutting Performance of Innovative Ceramic Cutting Tools - A Review,” Manufacturing Review, vol. 6, pp. 1-27, 2019. [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[5] Vitor F.C. Sousa, and Francisco J.G. Silva, “Recent Advances on Coated Milling Tool Technology-A Comprehensive Review,” Coatings, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 1-26, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[6] Priya Ranjan, and Somashekhar S. Hiremath, “Investigation of Coated Tool Performance on the Machinability, Surface Residual Stress and Chip Morphology of Martensitic AISI 420 Steel,” Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, vol. 47, no. 7, pp. 8503-8522, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[7] Abidin Şahinoğlu, and Mohammad Rafighi, “Investigation of Tool Wear, Surface Roughness, Sound Intensity, and Power Consumption During Hard Turning of AISI 4140 Steel using Multilayer-Coated Carbide Inserts,” Journal of Engineering Research, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 377-395, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[8] Staffan Söderberg, Mats Sjöstrand, and Björn Ljungberg, “Advances in Coating Technology for Metal Cutting Tools,” Metal Powder Report, vol. 56, no. 4, pp, 24-30, 2001.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[9] Nina Schalk, Michael Tkadletz, and Christian Mitterer, “Hard Coatings for Cutting Applications: Physical vs. Chemical Vapor Deposition and Future Challenges for the Coatings Community,” Surface and Coatings Technology, vol. 429, pp. 1-30, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[10] Sture Hogmark, Staffan Jacobson, and Mats Larsson, “Design and Evaluation of Tribological Coatings,” Wear, vol. 246, no. 1-2, pp. 20-33, 2000.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[11] M. Narasimha, D. Tewodros, and R. Rejikumar, “Improving Wear Resistance of Cutting Tool by Coating,” IOSR Journal of Engineering (IOSRJEN), vol. 4, no. 5, pp. 6-14, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[12] Lalatendu Dash et al., “Machinability Investigation and Sustainability Assessment in Hard Turning of AISI D3 Steel with Coated Carbide Tool Under Nanofluid Minimum Quantity Lubrication-Cooling Condition,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, vol. 235, no. 22, pp. 6496-6528, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[13] Sohini Paldey, and Seetharamac C. Deevi, “Single Layer and Multilayer Wear Resistant Coatings of (Ti,Al)N: A Review,” Materials Science and Engineering: A, vol. 342, no. 1-2, pp. 58-79, 2003.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[14] Wit Grzesik, Advanced Machining Processes of Metallic Materials: Theory, Modelling, and Applications, 2nd ed., Elsevier, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[15] Janaina Geisler Corrêa, Rolf Bertrand Schroeter, and Álisson Rocha Machado, “Tool Life and Wear Mechanism Analysis of Carbide Tools used in the Machining of Martensitic and Supermartensitic Stainless Steels,” Tribology International, vol. 105, pp. 102-117, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[16] Jiahao Wang et al., “Cutting Performance and Tool Wear of AlCrN- and TiAlN-Coated Carbide Tools During Milling of Tantalum-Tungsten Alloy,” Machines, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 1-11, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[17] Hiroyuki Sakai et al., “Effect of Al Content of TiAlN Coating on Cutting Performance in Driven Rotary Cutting of Hardened Steel,” International Conference on Leading Edge Manufacturing/Materials and Processing (LEMP), vol. 83624, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[18] Wei Fang et al., “Design and Application of B-Containing Hard Coatings for High-Speed Dry Cutting Against Ti-Alloys- A Review,” Surface Science and Technology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-19, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[19] Jukka Paro, Hannu Hänninen, and Veijo Kauppinen, “Tool Wear and Machinability of X5 CrMnN 18 18 Stainless Steels,” Journal of Materials Processing Technology, vol. 119, no. 1-3, pp. 14-20, 2001.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[20] Bilal Kurşuncu, “Investigation of Cutting Performance of Nano/Layered Hard Coatings in Face Milling of AISI D2 Steel,” Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 1206-1217, 2023.
[
CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[21] Mohamed Zakaria Zahaf et al., “Effect of Tempering on Microstructure and Machinability of AISI D3 Tool Steel in End Milling with PVD-Coated Carbide Tools,” The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, vol. 141, no. 7, pp. 4537-4552, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[22] Anshuman Das et al., “Comparative Performance Evaluation Between Uncoated and TiAlN + AlCrN Coated Carbide Tools in Hard Turning of AISI H11 Steel,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, vol. 239, no. 3, pp. 1029-1041, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[23] Francisca R. Nogueira et al., “A Comparative Study on the Wear Mechanisms of Uncoated and TiAlTaN-Coated Tools used in Machining AMPCO® Alloy,” Coatings, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1-33, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[24] Anshuman Das et al., “Hard Turning of AISI D6 Steel with Recently Developed HSN2- TiAlxN and Conventional TiCN Coated Carbide Tools: Comparative Machinability Investigation and Sustainability Assessment,” Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, vol. 44, no. 4, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[25] Fábio R.S. Freitas et al., “Wear Behavior of TiAlN/DLC Coating on Tools in Milling Copper-Beryllium Alloy AMPCOLOY® 83,” Coatings, vol. 14, no. 11, pp. 1-20, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[26] Dong Hai Yu et al., “Chip Formation of S790 Hardned Steel under High Speed Dry Milling Condition,” Materials Science Forum, vol. 836-837, pp. 77-87, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[27] Chayan Ranjan Das, and Amitava Ghosh, “Performance of Carbide End Mills Coated with New Generation Nano-Composite TiAlSiN in Machining of Austenitic Stainless Steel Under Near-Dry (MQL) and Flood Cooling Conditions,” Journal of Manufacturing Processes, vol. 104, pp. 418-442, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[28] Nitin Ambhore, Dinesh Kamble, and Satish Chinchanikar, “Analysis of Tool Vibration and Surface Roughness with Tool Wear Progression in Hard Turning: An Experimental and Statistical Approach,” Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Sciences, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 6461-6472, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[29] Jun Zha et al., “Nickel-based Alloy Efficient Milling with Ceramic Tool and Experimental Verification in Closed Impeller,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, vol. 239, no. 5, pp. 1663-1676, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[30] Saima Yaqoob et al., “Performance Evaluation of PVD and CVD Multilayer-Coated Tools in Machining High-Strength Steel,” Coatings, vol. 14, no. 7, pp. 1-17, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[31] Pablo Fernández-Lucio et al., “Roughing Milling with Ceramic Tools in Comparison with Sintered Carbide on Nickel-based Alloys,” Coatings, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 1-10, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[32] S.S. Rajput et al., “Effects of Roughing, Finishing, and Aggressive Machining Conditions on the Milling Performance of AISI 1045 Steel using TiAlN Coated Inserts,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, vol. 239, no. 3, pp. 376-387, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[33] Anıl Berk Dalkıran, Furkan Yılmaz, and Samet Emre Bilim, “Effect of Cutting Insert Type on Surface Roughness of Hardened AISI 420 Stainless Steel,” Academic Perspective Procedia, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 171-185, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[34] Katarzyna Biruk-Urban, Jerzy Józwik, and Paul Bere, “Cutting Forces and 3d Surface Analysis of CFRP Milling,” Advances in Science and Technology Research Journal, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 206-215, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[35] Dung Hoang Tien et al., “Combined Analysis of Acoustic Emission and Vibration Signals in Monitoring Tool Wear, Surface Quality and Chip Formation when Turning SCM440 Steel using MQL,” EUREKA: Physics and Engineering, vol. 2023, no. 1, pp. 86-101, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[36] Kurtusi Muhamad, and Subekti Subekti, “Analysis of Material Incision in Milling Machine Against Workpiece by Vibration Method,” Journal of Applied Mechanical Engineering, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 127-136, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[37] Orestis Friderikos et al., “Simulation of Adiabatic Shear Bands in Orthogonal Machining of Ti6Al4V using a Rigid-Viscoplastic Finite Element Analysis,” Metals, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 1-29, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[38] Zhang Ping et al., “Dislocation Damage and Adiabatic Shear Mechanisms of 7055 Aluminum Alloy During Cutting Process,” International Journal of Damage Mechanics, vol. 29, no. 8, pp. 1169-1180, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[39] Billel Hamadi et al., “Chip Formation Analysis During Dry Turning of C45 Steel,” Studies in Engineering and Exact Sciences, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 1-15, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[40] Abang Mohammad Nizam Abang Kamaruddin et al., “Performance of Low Cost 3d Printed Minimum Quantity Lubrication Applicator using Palm Oil in Milling Steel,” Materials Science Forum, vol. 997, pp. 85-92, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[41] Anshuman Das et al., “Comparative Assessment Between AlTiN and AlTiSiN Coated Carbide Tools Towards Machinability Improvement of AISI D6 Steel in Dry Hard Turning,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, vol. 236, no. 6, pp. 3174-3197, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]

[42] O. Schrage et al., “High-Speed Blanking of High-Strength Steel: Process Insights through Simulation,” Journal of Physics: Conference Series: The 13th International Conference and Workshop on Numerical Simulation of 3D Sheet Metal Forming Processes, Munich, Germany, vol. 3104, no. 1, pp. 1-10, 2025.
[
CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]