Productization and Establishment of Manufacturing Technology for Advanced Cutting Tool Materials

Abstract

Ti (C, N) -based cermets are widely used as cutting tool materials because they have high hardness and excellent welding resistance compared to cemented carbide. However, its strength and toughness are lower than those of cemented carbide, and chipping and fracture are likely to occur during cutting. In order to improve the fracture resistance of cermets, methods such as adding a third element such as tungsten and optimizing the nitrogen content have been often used, but they can be used for harsh cutting due to higher efficiency. For that purpose, it is indispensable to further improve the fracture resistance. Therefore, the author has been developing and commercializing high-strength ultrafine Ti (C, N) -based cermets with a Ti (C, N) particle size of 0.5 μm or less. Here, we report on the improvement of characteristics by the development of ultrafine cermet and the manufacturing technology for commercialization.