Role of ZrO₂and TiC on Performance of Alumina Based Ceramic Cutting Tools

Abstract

The effect of incorporating Zr0 2 and TiC on different mechanical properties as well as the performance of alumina based ceramic cutting tools has been studied. Along with the mechanical properties of the tool materials, the importance of tool geometry and the effect of different cutting parameters, viz. cutting speed, feed and depth of cut, on the tool life have also been discussed. It was observed that these tools were useable successfully even at a cutting speed of 350 m/min and up to that limit, the increase in cutting speed had a slightly negative effect on their performances while the wear rate was found to be more sensitive to the variation of depth of cut. Addition of TiC and Zr0 2 improved their performances for the applications requiring very high speed and high depth of cut respectively.