Ceramic cutting tools out of nanostructured refractory compounds

Abstract The paper presents the preliminary results of investigations on hot pressure sintering under the alternating current. The aluminium oxide Al 2 O 3 and tungsten monocarbide WC powders of submicron grain sizes were used to obtain the sintered structure at various temperatures, pressures, current and other physical conditions. The analysis of the physical properties of obtained ceramics revealed increased hardness and even some elasticity and substantially increased flexural strength. Out of the nanostructured mixture of Al 2 O 3 and WC powders in proportion 50–50%, the inserts for cutting tools were made. The comparative analysis of those inserts with the ones typically available in the market confirmed increased durability (up to 30%), as it had been expected. The obtained structure could be further improved, and if the grains in the sintered material become smaller than 1 μm, even better physical properties, wear-resistance and durability could be expected.