| Abstract Scope |
The global market for alumina, SiC, Si3N4/Sialon, and cubic-boron nitride (cBN) based metalcutting tools exceed $1B. They are used in high speed roughing and semi-finishing of heat resistant superalloys, cast iron, and high hardness steel, with minimal tool wear due to the better mechanical, tribological, and chemical stability of these ceramics at elevated temperatures. Despite the higher cutting performance, applications of these ceramics and cBN are limited due to their lower toughness, chemical reaction with work piece at high cutting temperatures, and inability to make complex chipbreaker designs. Therefore, there is a need to develop chemical and abrasion resistant hard coatings to improve tool life.
This talk will examine development of various PVD and CVD coating techniques on ceramics and cBN based cutting tools and their physicochemical properties such as adhesion, microstructure, hardness, and toughness. The influence of coating design and deposition parameters on tool performance will also be discussed. |