Tool Steel Selection for Precision Electrode Slitting Blades
Precision electrode slitting requires powder metallurgy tool steels with high vanadium carbide volume to eliminate micro-chipping and maintain burr limits below 10 µm.
TiAlN
Meaning
Hard ceramic coating composed of titanium and aluminum along with nitrogen that is applied to tools to enhance their wear resistance and thermal stability. This material forms a protective aluminum oxide layer on its surface when exposed to high temperatures during cutting. Application of tialn on electrode punches extends the operational life of the tools in high-volume battery assembly lines.
Heat Resistance
The ability to maintain hardness at elevated temperatures makes this coating ideal for high-speed dry machining. Because tialn has a low thermal conductivity, it acts as a barrier that prevents heat from transferring into the tool substrate. Protection is the goal.
Oxidation Barrier
The film resists chemical reactions with the workpiece material even under the intense pressure of a shearing operation. While other coatings might break down, tialn stays intact and prevents the cold welding of aluminum foil to the punch face. Surface integrity is preserved.
Productivity Gain
Tools treated with this ceramic layer can operate at higher speeds and for longer durations than uncoated steel. In the context of battery manufacturing, using tialn reduces the frequency of tool changes and helps maintain a consistent cut quality on the electrode tabs. The coating is typically applied via physical vapor deposition to ensure a uniform thickness.
This process allows for the treatment of complex tool shapes without losing dimensional accuracy. Performance increases with use.