Performance of a cutting tool made of steel matrix surface nano-composite produced by in situ laser melt injection technology

Steel-matrix (105WCr6 steel) surface nano-composites with (Ti,W)C micron-sized and (Fe,W)6C nano-sized carbide precipitates were produced by in situ laser melt injection technology with subsequent heat treatment. The microhardness of a 1 mm thick nano-composite layer was found to be higher than that of the initial matrix. The machinability of the surface nano-composite by a cubic boron nitride (CBN) wheel was found lower, but still reasonable compared to the initial matrix. Cutting tools produced from our new nano-composite by the CBN wheel were found to have higher wear resistance, longer tool life and provided lower cutting forces against a C45 steel workpiece compared to the initial matrix of the nano-composite.