Abstract
The outstanding performance of Al2O3-TiC ceramic cutting tools in term of high cutting speed can lead to economies in the metal machining. However, there is limited use of this ceramic because of its expensive price. In this work, the microwave combustion synthesis method was applied to produce Al2O3-TiC powder from low cost precursors. The microwave combustion synthesis of Al2O3-TiC can be achieved in a very short time. As a consequence, Al2O3-TiC cutting tools were produced by pressureless sintering. The performance of microwave combustion synthesized Al2O3-TiC cutting tools was investigated and compared to that of commercial insert. The flank wear of Al2O3-TiC insert was increased with cutting time and cutting speed. Although the cutting time of microwave combustion synthesized insert was shorter than that of the commercial one, its cutting performance demonstrated that the microwave combustion synthesized Al2O3-TiC powder showed some potentials to be developed as a cutting tools insert by proper control of composition and sintering temperature of combusted powders.
