Comparison of Cutting Ceramics with Hard Metal Cutting Tools

Cutting ceramic tools are used especially at high cutting speeds in the machining process. The highly brittle type of structure and the tendency for cleavage (crack formation) are the infavorable properties of these materials, which keep their hardness at high temperatures. The hard metals are produced by sintering of the carbides such as whisker WC, TiC and TaC with the presence of Co as a binder. The high wearing resistance and high thermal strength characteristics of these materials are due to their high hardness values and due to the use of Co respectively. The main purpose of studies done in this field is generally to produce cutting tools bearing high hardness, strength and toughness properties at high temperatures of 1000 C 1100 C. The cutting ceramics and hard metals are used in this study. The strength characteristics and behaviors and the related life times are studied depending on the cutting speeds. The comparison of the results and the feasibility for the economical purposes are investigated.