Enhancing Wear Resistance of EN-19 Steel with Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) Coatings: Experimental and Statistical Analysis
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
2Department of Mechanical & Production Engineering, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
E-mail: arshpandher89@gmail.com (AK)
E-mail: arshpandher89@gmail.com (AK)
Received: September 13, 2025 | Revised: November 29, 2025 | Accepted: March 24, 2026 | Published: June 2026
Abstract
To increase the durability of automobile components, this study investigates the wear behavior of EN-19 steel under various tribological environments, both with and without protective coatings. Physical vapor deposition (PVD) was used to produce the AlTiN and AlCrN coatings, which were then tested utilizing ball-on-disc studies at various loads, sliding velocities, and time durations. According to the results, AlCrN performed best, with coated specimens showing a considerable decrease in wear loss, while uncoated samples suffered the most wear. Coating type and time were found to be the primary determinants of wear, as determined by statistical analysis using the Box-Cox transformation, whereas load and velocity had secondary effects. Using contour and residual plots, regression modeling (λ = 0.7) produced accurate predictions. Compared with uncoated steel, AlCrN reduced overall wear by up to 55%, demonstrating its suitability for applications such as CV joints. The results demonstrate the significance of specific coatings in enhancing wear resistance and prolonging the useful life of engineering components.
Keywords
EN-19 Steel; Predictive Modeling; PVD Coatings; Tribological Performance; Wear Behavior
Available Repositories
Share Article
Article Metrics
--
Views
--
Downloads
--
Citations
Export Citation
Full Text
References
- 1) J. Chen, H. Li, and B.D. Beake, "Load sensitivity in repetitive nano-impact testing of tin and altin coatings," Surf. Coatings Technol., 308 289-297 (2016) doi:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2016.05.094
- 2) J. Liu, S.-S. Zhu, X. Deng, J.-Y. Liu, Z.-P. Wang, and Z. Qu, "Cutting performance and wear behavior of altin- and tialsin-coated carbide tools during dry milling of ti–6al–4v," Acta Metall. Sin. (English Lett., 33 (3) 459-470 (2020) doi:10.1007/s40195-020-01010-6
- 3) J.Y. Yi, K.H. Chen, Y.C. Xu, and C.J. Zhu, "Performance of altibn and altitan coatings during milling of titanium," Surf. Eng., 35 (6) 501-506 (2019) doi:10.1080/02670844.2018.1479624
- 4) W. Chen, D. Zhang, D. Yao, S. Zhang, and W. Wu, "Investigations on microstructure and mechanical properties of containing-si coatings," Surf. Eng., 33 (7) 536-541 (2017) doi:10.1080/02670844.2017.1287837
- 5) H. Çalişkan, E. Altas, and P. Panjan, "Study of nanolayer altin/tin coating deposition on cemented carbide and its performance as a cutting tool," J. Nano Res., 47 1-10 (2017) doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/JNanoR.47.1
- 6) Y. Chen, H. Du, M. Chen, J. Yang, J. Xiong, and H. Zhao, "Structure and wear behavior of alcrsin-based coatings," Appl. Surf. Sci., 370 176-183 (2016) doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2015.12.027
- 7) C. Claudin, J. Rech, W. Grzesik, and S. Zalisz, "Characterization of the frictional properties of various coatings at the tool/chip/workpiece interfaces in dry machining of aisi 4140 steel," Int. J. Mater. Form., 1 (SUPPL. 1) 511-514 (2008) doi:10.1007/s12289-008-0172-3
- 8) J. Rech, C. Claudin, W. Grzesik, and S. Zalisz, "Characterization of the friction properties of various coatings at the tool-chip-workpiece interfaces in dry machining of aisi 4140 steel," Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part J J. Eng. Tribol., 222 (4) 617-627 (2008) doi:10.1243/13506501JET416
- 9) B. Podgornik, and J. Vižintin, "Influence of substrate pretreatment on the tribological properties of hard coatings," Stroj. Vestnik/Journal Mech. Eng., 47 (4) 152-162 (2001). https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0034790775&partnerID=40&md5=c98f114cc3d9fba598e2f3f36f36e12c
- 10) G. Burshukova, A. Kanazhanov, R. Abuova, and A. Joldassov, "Analysis of using damping alloys to improve vibration and strength characteristics in the automotive industry," Evergreen, 10 (2) 742-751 (2023) doi:10.5109/6792824
- 11) V. Dubey, K. Pandey, H. Kumar, P.K. Kumar Arora, J.K. Katiyar, and A.K. Sharma, "Tribological behaviour of aisi 304 steel on electrodeposited hard chrome coated steel," Evergreen, 11 (2) 1210-1215 (2024). https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85198339375&partnerID=40&md5=c5c8f12e04fa66ab219ff73720f35288
- 12) H.S. Grover, S. Deswal, and A. Adhikari, "Analysis and estimation of atmospheric corrosivity of zinc protective coating on steel substrate," Evergreen, 11 (3) 1753-1762 (2024) doi:10.5109/7236827
- 13) Y. Mohd-Azmi, F. Ahmad, S. Kabir, N. Nosbi, Y.G. Heng, and A. Zulfiqar, "Analysis of thermal performance of mica-mineral reinforced intumescent coating for structural steel application," Evergreen, 8 (3) 565-573 (2021) doi:10.5109/4491648
- 14) P. Guo, R. Chen, H. Li, W. Yang, K. Nishimura, P. Ke, and A. Wang, "Research progress of pvd anti-tribocorrosion coatings under marine environment," Zhongguo Biaomian Gongcheng/China Surf. Eng., 37 (6) 1-20 (2024) doi:10.11933/j.issn.1007-9289.20231228003
- 15) S. Kumar, K.C. Anil, and J. Jayappa, "Solid particle erosion performance of multi-layered carbide coatings (wc-sic-cr3c2)," Evergreen, 10 (2) 813-819 (2023) doi:10.5109/6792833
- 16) B. Li, Y. Xu, G. Rao, Q. Wang, J. Zheng, R. Zhu, and Y. Chen, "Tribological properties and cutting performance of altin coatings with various geometric structures," Coatings, 13 (2) (2023) doi:10.3390/coatings13020402
- 17) R. Pu, Z. Yu, X. Hao, J. Yan, Z. Han, J. Tan, L. Lu, Z. Chen, and H. Yu, "Effect of si content on microstructure, mechanical properties, and cutting performance of tisin/altin dual-layer coating," J. Manuf. Process., 88 134-144 (2023) doi:10.1016/j.jmapro.2023.01.022
- 18) D. Özkan, M.A. Alper Yılmaz, D. Karakurt, M. Szala, M. Walczak, S.A. Bakdemir, C. Türküz, and E. Sulukan, "Effect of aisi h13 steel substrate nitriding on alcrn, zrn, tisin, and ticrn multilayer pvd coatings wear and friction behaviors at a different temperature level," Materials (Basel)., 16 (4) (2023) doi:10.3390/ma16041594
- 19) C.G. Sriram, N. Ariharan, and N. Radhika, "Comparative study on machining performance of tialsin, altin/tialsin-coated cutting tools," Trans. Inst. Met. Finish., 101 (2) 79-86 (2023) doi:10.1080/00202967.2022.2095113
- 20) M. Alfreider, M. Meindlhumer, T. Ziegelwanger, R. Daniel, J. Keckes, and D. Kiener, "Revealing dynamic-mechanical properties of precipitates in a nanostructured thin film using micromechanical spectroscopy," MRS Bull., 49 (1) 49-58 (2024) doi:10.1557/s43577-023-00549-w
- 21) P. Czarniak, K. Szymanowski, P. Panjan, and D. Jarosiewicz, "Influence of wc-co knifes pre-treatment with drag finishing method subjected to tool coatings deposition on blunting process," Wood Mater. Sci. Eng., 19 (2) 391-397 (2024) doi:10.1080/17480272.2023.2248471
- 22) P. Czarniak, K. Szymanowski, D. Jarosiewicz, P. Panjan, M. Gloeh, and K. Furmańczyk, "The influence of physical vapor deposition (pvd) coating on the microgeometry of high-speed steel (hss) cutting tools during the machining of wood-based composites," Wood Mater. Sci. Eng., (2024) doi:10.1080/17480272.2024.2392034
- 23) D. Dinesh Kumar, K. Amirtharaj Mosas, K. Panda, P. Kuppusami, A. Arivarasan, T. Stimpel-Lindner, and G.S. Duesberg, "Low friction characteristics and tribochemistry analysis of novel altin/a-c based nanocomposite coatings," Appl. Surf. Sci., 678 (2024) doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.161137
- 24) K. Zheng, Z. Zhang, L. Zhang, Y. Li, D. Jia, J. Ding, and J. Zheng, "Tailoring the structure and properties of bp-hppms deposited altin/tisin bilayer coatings by duty cycle," Ceram. Int., 51 (21) 33564-33574 (2025) doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.05.087
- 25) Q. He, J.M. DePaiva, J. Kohlscheen, B.D. Beake, and S.C. Veldhuis, "Study of wear performance and tribological characterization of altin pvd coatings with different al/ti ratios during ultra-high speed turning of stainless steel 304," Int. J. Refract. Met. Hard Mater., 96 105488 (2021) doi:10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2021.105488
- 26) Q. He, J.M. Paiva, J. Kohlscheen, and S.C. Veldhuis, "A study of mechanical and tribological properties as well as wear performance of a multifunctional bilayer altin pvd coating during the ultra-high-speed turning of 304 austenitic stainless steel," Surf. Coatings Technol., 423 (2021) doi:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2021.127577
- 27) D. Özkan, M. Alper Yılmaz, M. Szala, C. Türküz, D. Chocyk, C. Tunç, O. Göz, M. Walczak, K. Pasierbiewicz, and M. Yağcı, "Effects of ceramic-based crn, tin, and alcrn interlayers on wear and friction behaviors of altisin+tisin pvd coatings," Ceram. Int., 47 (14) 20077-20089 (2021) doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.04.015
- 28) A. Das, M. Kamal, S.R. Das, S.K. Patel, A. Panda, M. Rafighi, and B.B. Biswal, "Comparative assessment between altin and altisin coated carbide tools towards machinability improvement of aisi d6 steel in dry hard turning," Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part C J. Mech. Eng. Sci., 236 (6) 3174-3197 (2022) doi:10.1177/09544062211037373
- 29) G. Fox-Rabinovich, G. Dosbaeva, A. Kovalev, I. Gershman, K. Yamamoto, E. Locks, J. Paiva, E. Konovalov, and S. Veldhuis, "Enhancement of multi-scale self-organization processes during inconel da 718 machining through the optimization of tialcrsin/tialcrn bi-nano-multilayer coating characteristics," Materials (Basel)., 15 (4) (2022) doi:10.3390/ma15041329
- 30) D. Geng, H. Li, Z. Chen, Y.X. Xu, and Q. Wang, "Microstructure, oxidation behavior and tribological properties of alcrn/cu coatings deposited by a hybrid pvd technique," J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 100 150-160 (2022) doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2021.06.007
- 31) B.S. Bektaş, and G. Samtaş, "Optimisation of cutting parameters in face milling of cryogenic treated 6061 aluminium alloy and effects on surface roughness, wear, and cutting temperatures," Surf. Topogr. Metrol. Prop., 10 (2) (2022) doi:10.1088/2051-672X/ac6c40
- 32) A. Roushan, U.S. Rao, P. Sahoo, and K. Patra, "Performance study of uncoated and altin-coated tungsten carbide tools in micromilling of ti6al4v using nano-mql," J. Brazilian Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng., 45 (1) (2023) doi:10.1007/s40430-022-03997-8
- 33) L. Zhang, Z.-Q. Zhong, L.-C. Qiu, H.-D. Shi, A. Layyous, and S.-P. Liu, "Coated cemented carbide tool life extension accompanied by comb cracks: the milling case of 316l stainless steel," Wear, 418-419 133-139 (2019) doi:10.1016/j.wear.2018.11.019
- 34) Z.R. Liu, Y.X. Xu, B. Peng, W. Wei, L. Chen, and Q. Wang, "Structure and property optimization of ni-containing alcrsin coatings by nano-multilayer construction," J. Alloys Compd., 808 (2019) doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2019.07.342
- 35) J. Yi, S. Chen, K. Chen, Y. Xu, Q. Chen, C. Zhu, and L. Liu, "Effects of ni content on microstructure, mechanical properties and inconel 718 cutting performance of altin-ni nanocomposite coatings," Ceram. Int., 45 (1) 474-480 (2019) doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.09.192
- 36) A. Shaikh, M. Yashin, A. Bogatov, M. Viljus, R. Traksmaa, J. Sondor, A. Lümkemann, F. Sergejev, and V. Podgurski, "High-temperature tribological performance of hard multilayer tin-altin/naco-crn/alcrn-alcroalticrn coating deposited on wc-co substrate," Coatings, 10 (9) (2020) doi:10.3390/COATINGS10090909
- 37) S. Chowdhury, B. Bose, A.F.M. Arif, and S.C. Veldhuis, "Improving coated carbide tool life through wide peening cleaning (wpc) during the wet milling of h13 tool steel," Wear, 450-451 (2020) doi:10.1016/j.wear.2020.203259
- 38) M. Szala, M. Walczak, K. Pasierbiewicz, and M. Kamiński, "Cavitation erosion and slidingwear mechanisms of altin and tialn films deposited on stainless steel substrate," Coatings, 9 (5) (2019) doi:10.3390/COATINGS9050340
- 39) F. Cai, Y. Gao, W. Fang, T. Mao, S. Zhang, and Q. Wang, "Improved adhesion and cutting performance of altisin coatings by tuning substrate bias voltage combined with ar ion cleaning pre-treatment," Ceram. Int., 44 (15) 18894-18902 (2018) doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.07.125
- 40) K. Mughal, M.Q. Saleem, and M.P. Mughal, "Performance evaluation of nano-composite ceramic-coated high-speed steel (hss) drills in high-speed machining," Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Technol., 96 (9-12) 4195-4203 (2018) doi:10.1007/s00170-018-1829-9
- 41) G. Singh, S. Singh, and J.S. Grewal, "Erosion wear characterisation of dlc and alcrn-based coated aisi-304/316 steels," Surf. Eng., 35 (4) 304-316 (2019) doi:10.1080/02670844.2018.1478685
- 42) K. Aslantaş, H.E. Hopa, M. Percin, I. Ucun, and A. Çiçek, "Cutting performance of nano-crystalline diamond (ncd) coating in micro-milling of ti6al4v alloy," Precis. Eng., 45 55-66 (2016) doi:10.1016/j.precisioneng.2016.01.009
- 43) T. Bakalová, N. Petkov, H. Bahchedzhiev, P. Kejzlar, and P. Zdobinská, "Tribological properties of tin/altin and altin/tin nanomultilayer coatings," Manuf. Technol., 16 (6) 6-7 (2016) doi:10.21062/ujep/x.2016/a/1213-2489/MT/16/6/1234
- 44) K. Gangatharan, N. Selvakumar, P. Narayanasamy, and G. Bhavesh, "Mechanical analysis and high temperature wear behaviour of alcrn/dlc coated titanium alloy," Int. J. Surf. Sci. Eng., 10 (1) 27-40 (2016) doi:10.1504/IJSURFSE.2016.075315
- 45) S. Singh, R. Kumar, P. Goel, and H. Singh, "Analysis of wear and hardness during surface hardfacing of alloy steel by thermal spraying, electric arc and tig welding," Mater. Today Proc., 50 1599-1605 (2022) doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2021.09.122
- 46) K. Badogu, V. Thakur, R. Kumar, R. Kumar, and S. Singh, "Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-zro2 composites for roller burnishing as post-processing of 3d printed parts: machine learning modeling using classification and regression trees," J. Mater. Eng. Perform., 33 (18) 9522-9533 (2024) doi:10.1007/s11665-023-08620-y
- 47) A.S. Channi, H.S. Bains, J.S. Grewal, V.S. Chidambranathan, and R. Kumar, "Investigation of tool wear rate during edm for aluminium metal matrix composite (5-10% tib2) prepared by squeeze casting," J. Electrochem. Sci. Eng., (2022) doi:10.5599/jese.1391
- 48) N. Ranjan, R. Kumar, R. Kumar, R. Kaur, and S. Singh, "Investigation of fused filament fabrication-based manufacturing of abs-al composite structures: prediction by machine learning and optimization," J. Mater. Eng. Perform., 32 (10) 4555-4574 (2023) doi:10.1007/s11665-022-07431-x
- 49) B. Erappa Rajj, M. Nagaral, S. Chintakindi, R. Kumar, A.E. Anqi, A.A. Rajhi, A.A. Duhduh, G. Sridevi, C. Prakash, R. Kumar, and C.K. Chan, "Nano-sized al 2 o 3 –gr reinforced al7075 hybrid composite: impact of cooling agents on mechanical, wear, and fracture behavior," ACS Omega, 9 (16) 17878-17890 (2024) doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c08822
- 50) V. Thakur, R. Kumar, R. Kumar, R. Singh, and V. Kumar, "Hybrid additive manufacturing of highly sustainable polylactic acid -carbon fiber-polylactic acid sandwiched composite structures: optimization and machine learning," J. Thermoplast. Compos. Mater., 37 (2) 466-492 (2024) doi:10.1177/08927057231180186
- 51) K. Singh, R. Kumar, S. Singh, R. Kumar, F.F. Sead, and J. Lozanović, "Non-conventional machining of monel-400 alloy: a critical review of techniques, challenges, and sustainable prospects," Front. Mech. Eng., 11 (2025) doi:10.3389/fmech.2025.1639320
- 52) S. Singh, H.S. Farwaha, R. Kumar, I.A. Ariffin, N. Beemkumar, J.S. Grewal, I. Singh, A. Bhowmik, and W. Fendzi Mbasso, "Slurry erosion performance of wc-co and cr3c2-nicr coatings on hydro turbine steel: optimization and modelling under variable operational conditions," Oxford Open Mater. Sci., 5 (1) (2025) doi:10.1093/oxfmat/itaf008
- 53) A. Aherwar, A. Ahirwar, and V.K. Kumar Pathak, "Dry sliding tribological characteristics evaluation and prediction of tib2-cda/al6061 hybrid composites exercising machine learning methods," Sci. Rep., 15 (1) (2025) doi:10.1038/s41598-025-01336-0
- 54) P. Kumar, and B. Kumar, "Synergistic approach to tribological characterization of hybrid aluminum metal matrix composites with zrb2 and fly ash: experimental and predictive insights," Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part E J. Process Mech. Eng., (2024) doi:10.1177/09544089241255931
- 55) M. Kupczyk, M. Lelen, J. Józwik, and P. Tomiło, "Modeling material machining conditions with gear-shaper cutters with tin0.85-ti in adhesive wear dominance using machine learning methods," Materials (Basel)., 17 (22) (2024) doi:10.3390/ma17225567
- 56) S. Sathiyamurthy, S. Sengottaiyan, and V. Vinoth, "Enhancing tribological performance of hybrid fiber-reinforced composites through machine learning and response surface methodology," J. Reinf. Plast. Compos., (2024) doi:10.1177/07316844241256421
- 57) S. Sengottaiyan, S. Subbarayan, V. Vinoth, and P. Pugazhendi, "Optimized machine learning with hyperparameter tuning and response surface methodology for predicting tribological performance in bio-composite materials," Polym. Compos., 45 (10) 9421-9439 (2024) doi:10.1002/pc.28418
Other Papers in This Issue
- Cooling Techniques for Photovoltaic Systems: A Comprehensive Review of Phase Change Materials
S. Yadav, S. Singh, A. Chaudhary (2026) - Entropy-Heat Transfer Coupling in Vibrational Non-Newtonian Nanofluid Flow with two phase study
A. Tripure et al. (2026) - Emerging Energy Research Driving Sustainable Development Goals in Developing Countries with an Indonesian Perspective
F. Yusgiantoro et al. (2026) - A Novel Machine Learning and Deep Learning Insight for Alzheimer's Diseases Using Neuroimaging Dataset Analysis
Mamta, S. Bansal (2026) - Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of Vehicle Structural Components Under Full Front Impact for Automotive Crashworthiness
S. Pratiwi et al. (2026) - Methods for Leakage Monitoring for Safety and Efficiency of ORC System: A Review
I. Supono et al. (2026) - Design Strategies for Off-Street Parking in High-Density Industrial Areas: A Case Study of Industrial Estates in Indonesia
T. Mardiana et al. (2026) - Optimization and Mechanical Performance of Resin–Talc Sandwich Core Composites for Ship Construction
P. Arianto et al. (2026) - Ozone Technology for Improving the Microbiological Quality of Milk from Medicated Dairy Cows
P. Anggraeni et al. (2026) - Predicting Occupational Accident Risk from Textual Data: A Systematic Review of Machine Learning Application
A. Rosyidiin, M. Singgih, A. Sudiarno (2026)









Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
