SiAlON based ceramic cutting tools

There is a continuous need for improving the existing cutting tool materials, which is driven by a strong competition on the market and also by more difficult to machine materials like, e.g. high alloyed grey cast iron. Ceramic cutting tools offer a high productivity due to their excellent hot hardness, which allows high cutting speeds. Under such conditions the cutting tool must be resistant to a combination of mechanical, thermal and chemical attacks.The paper shows the potential of new alpha-beta-SiAlON cutting tools reinforced with SiC, WC, MoSi2 or Ti(C,N) particles. The microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance of these composites will be presented.