2003 Volume 111 Issue 1299 Pages 821-825
The machinability and contact damage of Al2O3/BN nanocomposites fabricated through the chemical method were investigated in the present work. The Al2O3/BN microcomposites indicated considerably low fracture strength by adding BN particles, although machinability was improved. However, the nanocomposites showed both high fracture strength and good machinability. Hertzian contact test were performed to evaluate the contact damage. From the result of SEM observation of the samples after this test, it was found that the damage of the monolithic Al2O3 and Al2O3/BN microcomposites have a classical Hertzian cone fracture and many large cracks, respectively, whereas the damage observed in the nanocomposites appeared to be quasi-plastic deformation.