The milling performances of TiC-based cermet tools with TiN nanopowders addition against normalized medium carbon steel AISI1045

The two milling tools obtained from nearly full dense TiC-based cermets with TiN nanopowders addition, with limited percentage of monophase nickel and biphase nickel–cobalt metal binders, were tested in face milling operations, in the dry cutting of a medium carbon steel (AISI1045). Microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. Wear mechanisms (mainly diffusion and oxidation) were investigated in detail and compared each other in order to better understand key aspects due to thermal wear mechanisms. Comparing tool A with B, under the adopted cutting conditions, the tool A has a better resistance to oxidation deformation in machining medium carbon steel, but lower impact breakage property on the same conditions.