The cutting properties of tools can be greatly improved by AlCrSiN coatings. The AlCrSiN coatings with nitrogen content in the range of 28.2–56.3 at.% were prepared by varying the N₂/Ar flow ratio from 1/4 to 1/1. The influence of N₂/Ar flow ratio on composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties, as well as the tribological properties, of the coatings was investigated. With increasing N content, the coating microstructure gradually evolved from single fcc-(Cr,Al)N (200) phase to the mixture of fcc-(Cr,Al)N and hcp-(Cr,Al)N phase, which corresponds to an increased crystallinity within the coatings. The coating presents the highest hardness and best wear resistance for an N₂/Ar flow ratio of 1/1, but the film adhesive strength and inner stress decreased obviously with increasing N₂/Ar flow ratio, which was attributed to the rapid reduction of particle kinetic energy induced by the obstruction of neutral nitride particles between target and substrates. The highest H³/E*² value exhibited the lowest wear rate, at 0.81 × 10⁻¹⁴ m³/(N·m), indicating that it had the best resistance to plastic deformation. The main wear mechanisms of the as-deposited coatings were abrasive wear and adhesive wear. The increasing crystallinity of the interior coatings resulted in higher hardness and better tribological behavior with an increase in N₂/Ar flow ratio.

Laser cladding coating is the focus of development in the field of die repair. It has the characteristics of uniform and compact coating, good bonding strength, little thermal impact on the substrate, and easy to realize automation. FeCr alloy coating was prepared on 738H die steel by laser cladding process. Based on MSC Marc finite element software and life-and-death element method, the numerical analysis model of laser cladding repair was establelished, and the temperature field, stress field and deformation under different process parameters were solved. According to the simulation results, the cladding process was formulated, the hardness and linear thermal expansion coefficient of the cladding coating were characterized, and the effects of the process parameters on the structure and properties of the coating were studied. The cladding coating matched well with the substrate performance was obtained, and the high quality repair of the die surface was realized.