Micro-impact testing of AlTiN and TiAlCrN coatings

A novel micro-scale repetitive impact test has been developed to assess the fracture resistance of hard coatings under dynamic high strain rate loading. It is capable of significantly higher impact energies than in the nano-impact test. It retains the intrinsic depth-sensing capability of the nano-impact test enabling the progression of the damage process to be monitored throughout the test, combined with the opportunity to use indenters of less...