Self-lubricating ceramic cutting tool material with the addition of nickel coated CaF2 solid lubricant powders

A new type of self-lubricating ceramic cutting tool material with the addition of metal coated solid lubricant powders was developed. Nickel coated CaF 2 composite powders with core–shell structure were produced by electroless plating technique. The growth process of nickel coating on the solid lubricant CaF 2 powders was analyzed. The as-prepared self-lubricating ceramic cutting tool material made by adding nickel coated CaF 2 powders exhibited notable improvements in microstructure and mechanical properties, in comparison with the corresponding cutting tool material made by directly adding uncoated CaF 2 powders. Cutting tests show that the new type of self-lubricating ceramic cutting tool has better antifriction property and wear resistance than the corresponding cutting tool.