Machining of Steel with Advanced Ceramic Cutting-Tools

Various aspects linked with steel machining with ceramic tools are discussed in detail, embracing the performance, the wear mechanism and the temperature distribution on ceramic cutting tool materials. The tests have been carried out on AISI 1040 steel with cutting speeds from 5-11 m/s. Alumina which has been toughened by ZrO sub 2 phase transformation, had the best wear resistance. Low chemical stability seems to be the reason for the poor performances of the silicon carbide whiskers-reinforced alumina and silicon nitride. The chemical stability together with their good mechanical properties can explain the appreciable results obtained with the other alumina-based materials. Also discussed is a new multiple approach to evaluate the temperature distribution within the tool in metal cutting. The examination of crater zone with SEM microscopy confirmed the temperature level so estimated.