Surface Characterization of Duplex Surface Treatments: AISI H13 Tool Steel

This research provides an extensive analysis of duplex-treated AISI H13 tool steel after gas nitriding and coating application with Titanium Carbide (TiC) combined with Chromium Nitride (CrN) and Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN). The popular tooling material of AISI H13 received 24-hour gas nitriding at 400 °C to form its nitrogen-enriched outer layer. Each coating received equivalent deposition parameters after the base conditions for maintenance of consistent outcomes between specimens. The SEM analysis together with EDS and XRD methods was used for investigating phase transformations and elemental dispersal patterns in the treated coatings. The mechanical property analysis used Vickers microhardness testing methodology. A hardness measurement of 242 HV was recorded for the untreated material but the amount increased to 1062 HV after the nitriding process. Among the different coatings AlTiN achieved the greatest surface hardness level at 2811 HV while TiC reached 2717 HV and CrN settled at 2105 HV. The study confirms that duplex surface treatment enhances H13 tool steel durability and its resistance to wear by showing AlTiN as the superior coating for demanding operating conditions with high heat and load requirements.