Abstract
Titanium carbonitride (Ti (C, N))–based cermets have been studied for applying them to cutting tools and wear–resistant tools. Thermal shock resistance is an important property of tool materials used in severer environment. However, evaluation method of thermal shock resistance has not been established for cermets. In order to develop a method to evaluate the thermal shock resistance, irradiation experiments using a high power laser were conducted;laser beam was irradiated on the surface of thin specimens. The experimental results showed that a critical laser power for crack initiation can be used practically to evaluate the thermal shock resistance of cermets. AE signals occurred with crack initiation were monitored, and it indicated that the crack occurred after stopping of the irradiation. Finite element analysis (FEM) was carried out in order to clarify the crack initiation mechanism.
