In cutting tools industry, economic considerations play an important role, thus the surface modification technology is to be applied to ensure the required functional properties while using as cheap as possible materials for the bare element. Through this project the development in surface modification of cutting tools used in wood industry as well as the optimization of methodologies for investigation of mechanical, physico-chemical, surface and interfacial properties like wear and corrosion performance of this materials is intended. In order to understand the complex interactions in the interface between substrate and coatings as well as the functional surface, the use of state-of-the-art equipment for extensive in-situ studies is necessary. One objective of this research is the development of a variety of new super-/hard nanocomposite coatings based cutting insert, using Cr, Fe, Ti, or W based nanocomposites, with high hardness, good adhesion to substrate, low internal stress, resistance against wear, corrosion and oxidation, low friction coefficient, high fracture toughness. The coatings are specially designed to be used as protective coatings against wear for parts and tools subjected to severe working conditions for industrial woodworking. During the whole international project, the coatings will be prepared by cathodic arc evaporation and magnetron sputtering deposition methods.

     Surface conditioning is necessary to increase adhesion and pressure resistance of the superhard nanocomposite coatings under functional loads. Thus, the second objective is to develop a diffusion zone by thermochemical treatment (nitriding and boriding) for the steel substrates.