TiN coating is usually a good place to start. However, the coating industry (which I am a part of) has come a long way since the invention of TiN. Typically the wear seen on a punch of this nature would be adhesive wear on the shank of the punch and not from breaking down or rolling over the...
Dek,
I have used Crucible Specialty Metals for many years. They are typically very good for technical assistance as well. Depending on your application, Powdered Metals can be very useful. For example CPM M4 or CPM 3v have excellent compressive strength characteristics compared to D2...
Brett,
I work for a company (IonBond) that does both PVD (cathotic arc deposition, and sputtering) and CVD coatings. Depending on the size of and material used for your auger, either process could be beneficial. You can check out more at www.ionbond.com.
Also, thermal spray ceramics and...
