cBN-based cutting tools with niobium compounds as a binder phase.

Abstract cBN-based materials are well known for their high chemical inertness and high performance. The variation of binder phase type and amount enable improvement of performance even more. Comprehensive investigation of the influence of type of niobium compound (NbC and NbN) as a binder phase for cBN-based materials were done. Samples were prepared by high pressure high temperature (HPHT) sintering under pressure of 7.7 GPa. Sintered samples were investigated in terms of phase composition (XRD), microstructure (SEM, EDX) and mechanical properties. Performance of investigated tools were tested in conditions of high speed machining of Inconel 718 alloy and Caldie tool steel.