Self-lubricating ceramic cutting tool material with the addition of nickel coated CaF2 solid lubricant powders

A new type of self-lubricating ceramic cutting tool material with the addition of metal coated solid lubricant powders was developed. Nickel coated CaF2 composite powders with core-shell structure were produced by electroless plating technique. The growth process of nickel coating on the solid lubricant CaF2 powders was analyzed. The as-prepared self-lubricating ceramic cutting tool material made by adding nickel coated CaF2 powders exhibited notable improvements in microstructure and mechanical properties, in comparison with the corresponding cutting tool material made by directly adding uncoated CaF2 powders. Cutting tests show that the new type of self-lubricating ceramic cutting tool has better antifriction property and wear resistance than the corresponding cutting tool.