Rocky Mountain Twist Drill Unveils Cutting-Edge Blue nACo Coating

Universal nanocomposite coating for milling and drilling C-steels with outstanding performance in superalloys, hard material machining, and high heat applications

written by ​Bernard Martin

Rocky Mountain Twist Drill's introduction of Blue nACo coating is a truly revolutionary surface treatment to enter the market in the drilling segment.

​Blue nACo was developed by PLATIT, an independent, family-owned company headquartered in Selzach, Switzerland.  PLATIT is a manufacturer of high-tech PVD and PECVD hard coating equipment for tools and machine components.

Blue nACo is an AlTiSi-based nanocomposite coating and performs best in the field of milling and drilling C-steels and outstanding performance in superalloys, hard material machining, and high heat applications. The use of nACo provides excellent adhesion and good performance even for more unusual applications such as milling with coated ceramic tools and CBN tools.

Lubricity, hardness, heat resistance- Blue nACo has it all. 
Rocky Mountain Twist Drill has several Platit Coating Chambers operating around the clock to apply this incredible surface treatment.

This treatment has been shown to improve drilling operations with its exceptional lubricity, unmatched hardness, and impressive heat resistance. An AITiSi-based nanocomposite coating,

The culmination of over 20 years field testing, Blue nACo coating has demonstrated an elevated the performance of Rocky Mountain Twist Drill's products. This coating is a testament to the commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering solutions that meet the evolving demands of the metalcutting sector.

What do you need in a drill coating particularly for superalloys, hard material machining, and high heat applications?  Typically the goal is a super thin coating layer that compliments the drill geometry and grind finish, a high hardness for wear resistance and a high level of lubricity so that the chips can slide up and out of the flutes.

Keep in mind also that there's a tremendous amount of heat generated in the cutting tool process so the coating needs to be able to not only withstand that heat but also be "slippery" e.g. have a low coefficient of friction, aka lubricity, to evacuate the chip quickly. Blue nACo coating has pushed the boundaries of that desired balance in each of those categories.

Blue nACo Lubricity

Lubricity, as measured by the coefficient of friction receives a significant boost with the Blue nACo coating. The incorporation of nanocomposite technology reduces adhesion between cutting edge of the and workpiece. This ensures reduced friction and enhanced wear resistance, resulting in smoother drilling operations. It translates to improved chip evacuation, reduced tool wear, and increased tool life – a trifecta that directly impacts productivity and cost-effectiveness.

COATING	MICRO HARDNESS (Hv)	COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION	COATING THICKNESS (microns)	MAXIMUM WORKING CONDITIONS
nACo	3900 - 4500	0.35 - 0.4	1-4	2192°F
TiN	2700-3100	0.4 - 0.5	2-4	750°-950°F
TiCN	4100-4900	0.3 - .0.4	2-4	650°-750°F
TiAlN	4000-5000	0.3 - .0.4	2-5	1450°-1650°F
AlTiN	3550 - 4000	0.6 - .07	1-4	1470​ - 1650°F

BLUE NACO Hardness

As an indicator of the material's ability against deformation, hardness has been studied for more than a century. Adding a coatings provides an extra layer of protection to the drill, ensuring longevity and durability with this additional hard wearing layer.  

​The Nano-hardness of the Blue nACo coating is 39-41 GPa (which roughly converts to Micorhardness ~3977 ~ 4181Hv) which is in the higher hardness range when compared to many other common coatings used on drills. In  Rocky Mountain Twist Drill users can expect consistent performance even in the face of challenging materials, making the Blue (nACo) coating an invaluable asset for demanding drilling applications.

Blue nACo coating characteristics in metalcutting materials for Steels, Hardened Steels, Stainless Steels, Superalloys, Cast Iron, and Non-Ferrous materials

BLUE NACO Heat resistance

Heat resistance is a critical factor in drilling operations, where elevated temperatures can compromise tool integrity and precision. According to Platit, the maximum service temperature for the coating is 1200°C or about 2192°F. which is substantially higher that the most common coatings used on drills such at TiN, TiCN, TiAlN and AlTiN. 

The Blue nACo coating advanced thermal stability ensures that the drill maintains peak performance even in high-temperature environments, reducing the risk of premature tool failure and minimizing downtime.

Behind the scenes, Platit Coating Chambers has played a pivotal role in bringing the Blue (nACo) coating to fruition at Rocky Mountain Twist Drill. Operating around the clock, their state-of-the-art facilities have been dedicated to applying this surface treatment, to their very deep drilling product offering.

The Blue nACo coating represents a leap forward in drill surface treatment technology. Rocky Mountain Twist Drill's dedication to providing its customers with tools that embody precision, durability, and efficiency is exemplified in this cutting-edge coating. As the metalcutting industry continues to advance, the Blue nACo coating stands poised to make a lasting impact, setting a new bar for performance and reliability in drilling operations.