Cutting performances, mechanical property and microstructure of ultra-fine grade Ti(C, N)-based cermets

The two cutting tools obtained from ultra-fine grade Ti(C, N)-based cermets were tested in the dry cutting of a medium carbon steel (AISI1045). Microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. Wear mechanisms (mainly diffusion and oxidation) were investigated in detail and compared each other in order to better understand key aspects due to thermal wear mechanisms. Comparing tool A with B, under the adopted cutting conditions, the tool A has a better resistance to oxidation deformation in machining medium carbon steel due to the higher hardness, although tool B has higher bending strength and fracture toughness.