Cutting Performance and Tool Failure in Intermittent Turning Processes of an Al2O3-based Micro-Nano-Composite Ceramic Tool

An Al2O3-based micro-nano-composite ceramic cutting tool material reinforced with (W, Ti)C micro-particles and Al2O3 micro-nano-particles was fabricated by using hot-pressing technique, the composite was denoted as AWT. The cutting performance, failure modes and mechanisms of the AWT micro-nano-composite ceramic tool were investigated via intermittent turning of hardened AISI 1045 steel (44 similar to 48 HRC) in comparison with those of an Al2O3/(W, Ti)C micro-composite ceramic tool SG-4 and a cemented carbide tool YS8. Worn and fractured surfaces of the cutting tools were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of intermittent turning revealed that shock resistance of the AWT ceramic tool was higher than that of the SG-4 and YS8 tools at all the tested cutting speeds. The excellent shock resistance of the AWT composite ceramic tool was attributed to its synergistic strengthening/toughening mechanisms induced by the (W, Ti)C micro-particles and Al2O3 nano-particles.