Recent developments in cutting tool materials

Abstract

The major recent advances in cutting tool materials are reviewed. The three groups of materials considered are high speed steels, cemented carbides and the ceramic/superhard materials. The relation between fracture toughness and strength and the relation between wear rate and contact pressure are shown for the complete range of tool materials. Tool failure processes are described. The application of hard ceramic PVD coatings to high speed steels and hard ceramic CVD and PVD coatings to cemented carbides are the most successful recent development. Developments of ceramics, ceramic composites, sialons, PCBN and PCD tool materials and their applications are described. The engineering of the surface by coating and the improvement in fracture toughness and thermal shock resistance by material design will continue the evolution of improved cutting tool materials.