Application of Innovative PVD Coating to Stamping Dies for Processing Ultra-High Tensile Strength Steel Sheets

A novel nitride based coating system (BELCOAT-SS) was developed for the stamping dies for ultra high-tensile strength steel. It is characterized by an excellent wear resistance and low deposition temperature compare to the conventional diffusion coatings such as VC or TiC. High temperature wear test indicate that the wear rate of the new coating is 2 to 10 lower than conventional diffusion coatings. The result of stamping test using ultra-high tensile steel sheets indicate that life time of the die can be prolonged by the factor of at least 5 to 10 times.