Longer‐lasting Al2O3‐SiCw‐TiC cutting tools obtained by spark plasma sintering

In this work, an electrically conductive powder mixture of alumina, silicon carbide whiskers, and titanium carbide has been used to obtain cutting tools with a standard SNGN geometry after machining spark plasma sintered disks with 150 mm in diameter and 10 mm height. The obtained cutting inserts from the sintered blanks were used in real conditions in order to make a wear study of this composition compared to the alumina‐silicon carbide whiskers inserts available in the market. In parallel, pin on disk wear studies were performed. Results are discussed in terms of the different properties and microstructural features of the different ceramic composites.