Prakt. Met. Sonderband 38 (2006) 335 
the molding tool with 10.000 produced parts (Fig. 11). The investigation of the plane 
through the damaged area seen in the visual and SEM-inspection showed removal of 
ons were substrate material on the tip (Fig. 12 and Fig. 13). The TiN-coating is completely removed 
’n) in the from the tip of the teeth. In the remaining coating near the tip straight line cracks, 
e surface orientated nearly orthogonal to the surface were found (Fig. 14). The other teeth had no or 
dications only very slight injuries. 
owed no 
d on the 
2 original, 
the same 
Fig. 11: cracks in the TiN-coating Fig. 12: damaged tip 
Fig. 13: detail from Fig. 12 Fig. 14: cracks in the TiN-coating 
oo The microstructure on the edge of the zones of the massive material removal reacts more 
intensely to the etching process than the rest of the micrograph (Fig. 15). On the top of the 
5 tip this zone is larger than on the flank (Fig. 16 and Fig. 17). The transfer to the non 
destructed edge is abrupt, the TiN-coating initiate immediately (Fig. 17). Rests of the TiN- 
coating were found here and there on the massive destroyed tip (Fig. 18). 
tip of the 
olish was 
he middle 
ed in the 
tected on