The article presents a study of the potential for the use of B 6 O superhard boron suboxide as a binder in composite materials with a low cBN content. Superhard B 6 O is characterized by higher mechan ical properties than TiC widely used in commercial materials today. Composites containing 60 vol % cBN and different binder compositions that included B 6 O and TiC have been sintered in a toroid type high pressure apparatus at a pressure of 7.7 GPa in a temperature range from 1500 to 2000°C. The microstruc ture, phase and elemental composition of the sintered materials have been examined via electron micros copy and X ray diffraction analysis. Mechanical properties have been analyzed via indentation techniques. The performance of the cutting tools produced from the sintered composites has been evaluated in turning hardened cold work tool steel.

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