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

Using a new kind of sintering technique, i.e. repetitious-hot-pressing technique, Al 2 O 3 /Ti(C 0.3 N 0.7 ) cutting tool material was fabricated successfully. This composite has good mechanical properties (Flexural strength 820 MPa, Fracture toughness 7.4 Mpa m 1/2 , Vickers Hardness 20.4 GPa), especially high fracture toughness compared with other Al 2 O 3 -based ceramics. Comparison of the cutting performance of Al 2 O 3 /Ti(C 0.3 N 0.7 ) 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.