Al2O3/Ti(C0.3N0.7) cutting tool material

Using a new kind of sintering technique, i.e. repetitious-hot-pressing technique, Al2O3/Ti(C0.3N0.7) cutting tool material was fabricated successfully. This composite has good mechanical properties (Flexural strength 820 MPa, Fracture toughness 7.4 Mpa m1/2, Vickers Hardness 20.4 GPa), especially high fracture toughness compared with other Al2O3-based ceramics. Comparison of the cutting performance of Al2O3/Ti(C0.3N0.7) inserts with those of other two kinds of commercial cutting tool inserts (Brands: SG-4 and LT55) showed that this cutting tool material is suitable for continuously cutting of cast iron, hardened steel, especially intermittent cutting hardened steel.