Hard coating film excellent in lubrication characteristics, process for formation thereof, and tool for the plastic working of metal

Abstract

The invention aims at providing a hard coating film excellent in lubrication characteristics; a process for the formation thereof; and tools for the plastic working of metal, and provides a hard coating film covering the surface of a substrate to come into contact with other member, wherein carbon atoms having carbon-carbon bonds are present in an amount of 10 at % or above. It is preferable that the hard coating film contain titanium carbide, while it is preferable to form a titanium nitride coating layer between the surface of the substrate and the hard coating film. The invention also provides a process for the formation of a hard coating film on the surface of a substrate by arc ion plating which comprises introducing a hydrocarbon gas during the arc ion plating with a metal target and which makes it possible to form on the surface of a substrate a coating film where carbon atoms having carbon-carbon bonds are present in an amount of 10 at % or above. It is preferable that prior to the introduction of a hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen gas be introduced to form a metal nitride layer on the surface of the substrate. Further, the invention provides tools for the plastic working of metal whose working surfaces are covered with the hard coating film.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.