Effect of group IV elements on the cutting characteristics of Ti(C,N) cermet tools and reliability analysis

The addition of WC and group IV carbides to Ti(C,N)–Ni cermet causes a change in microstructure, leading to a change in material property. The effect of WC and group IV carbides on the performance of Ti(C,N) cermet tools was investigated. The composition of WC was varied from 5 wt.% to 20 wt.%. A homemade insert with 15 wt.% addition had the longest tool life for turning and that with 20 wt.% had the longest tool life for milling. The effect of group IV carbides, such as ZrC, ZrN and HfC, was also investigated. Cermets with 1 wt.% of ZrC, HfC and 14 wt.% WC showed the best cutting performance. Reliability tests were also carried out. A normal density function was found to be suitable for representing the distribution of both flank wear at a given time and cutting time at a given flank wear.