Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered Si3N4/WC Ceramic Tools

Abstract

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) based ceramic tools exhibit good machinability in cutting materials such as gray cast iron, ductile iron, malleable cast iron, and superalloys due to excellent high-temperature mechanical properties. In this paper, high-performance Si3N4-based ceramic tools containing tungsten carbide (WC) and cobalt (Co) were studied. Effects of the WC content and Co content on mechanical properties and a microstructure of Si3N4-based ceramic materials were analyzed. Results showed that Si3N4-based ceramic material containing 10 wt % WC and 1 wt % Co had the best comprehensive mechanical properties at a sintering temperature of 1650 °C and holding time of 6 min, achieving Vickers hardness, fracture toughness, and room temperature bending strength of 16.96 GPa, 7.26 MPa·m1/2, and 1132 MPa, respectively. The microstructure of Si3N4-based ceramic tool material is uniform without obvious abnormal growth. The Si3N4-based ceramic tool was mainly composed of α-Si3N4, β-Si3N4, and WC phases.

Cutting performance and wear characteristics of Si3N4–SiCw–HfB2 ceramic cutting tools in turning of ductile cast iron

“…Among these, Si 3 N 4 ceramics are widely utilized as cutting tool materials due to the high hardness, high strength, and high thermal shock resistance 7–9 . In the field of cutting machining, Si 3 N 4 ‐based ceramic cutting tools are commonly employed for machining superalloy 10 and cast iron 11 materials. Si 3 N 4 ‐based tools exhibit the potential for machining ductile cast iron due to their superior wear resistance and comprehensive mechanical properties.…”

Synergistic Reinforcement of Si3N4 Based Ceramics Fabricated via Multiphase Strengthening under Low Temperature and Short Holding Time

“…Additionally, much research [ 31 , 32 , 33 ] has indicated that the bimodal distribution [ 34 ] of Si 3 N 4 ceramics with more columnar β-Si 3 N 4 grains is advantageous to improve the strength and toughness by introducing low-cost β-Si 3 N 4 [ 35 ] whiskers [ 27 ] and/or seeds [ 36 ]. In addition, generally, various reinforced particles such as TiC [ 37 ], TiN [ 5 , 27 ], Ti(C, N) [ 11 ], WC [ 38 ], SiC [ 4 ] and graphene [ 39 ] are also mixed into Si 3 N 4 -based ceramics [ 35 ] to enhance their properties. For example, graphene [ 21 , 32 , 39 ] was used to reinforce a Si 3 N 4 ceramics matrix, from which the fracture toughness was markedly enhanced.…”

A novel WC–W2C composite synthesis by arc plasma melt cast technique: microstructural and mechanical studies

“…1) [5,6].The authors have taken advantage of such a decomposition to prepare WC-W 2 C composite at three different compositions by arc plasma melt casting of W and WC pellets prepared from their powder mixture mixed at different proportions. The mono carbide of tungsten (WC) characterized with superior properties like high melting point (2750 °C) and high hardness (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22) [7][8][9]. Kim and co-workers [10] reported hardness of binderless WC to be 2486 VHN with 97.6 relative density (%).…”

“…Tungsten carbide used in producing critical components such as spray injection nozzle, sand blasting nozzle, guide sleeve in machines, micrometre anvil, centre for lathe and grinder, rock cutting drill bit, etc. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Applications of tungsten carbide metal matrix composites are found in the mining industry to coat different drilling and digging parts, in agriculture for coating on plough shares, tillage equipment and cutters.…”