The aim of this thesis was to analyze the influence of different protective coatings on the reaction kinetics between the liquid aluminum alloy Al99.7 and hot-work tool steel AISI H11. The interaction between AISI H11 steel and Al99.7 melt, both without and with protective coatings (TiAlN+WC/C, TiAlxN, and AlCrN), was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at 700 °C. “Sandwich” samples consisting of AISI H11 steel, with and without protective coatings, and Al99.7 alloy were placed into the device. In this way, the high-temperature stability of the protective coatings in contact with molten aluminum alloy and their ability to prevent the diffusion of elements from steel into liquid aluminum was examined. After performing the DSC analysis, the samples were prepared for metallographic examinations using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This allowed the determination of the thicknesses of interaction and protective layers, as well as a comparison of the effectiveness of the coatings in limiting the transfer of elements from AISI H11 steel into the Al99.7 melt. The results showed that the protective coatings effectively suppressed element diffusion and thus the dissolution of tool steel in the Al99.7 melt, since no intermetallic or composite layers were detected. The thickness and chemical composition of the protective layer were found to have a significant influence on its ability to prevent reactions between tool steel and molten aluminum alloy. Based on the obtained results, the two-component TiAlN+WC/C coating proved to be the most effective among the three protective layers investigated.
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