A Si ₃ N ₄ –TiB ₂ /SiCN–B ₄ C laminated ceramic tool integrating force measurement function with piezoresistive effect

Abstract In this study, the Si 3 N 4 –TiB 2 /SiCN–B 4 C laminated the ceramic tool integrating force measurement function with piezoresistive effect was fabricated. The influence of thickness ratio on the residual thermal stress distribution, the mechanical properties, microstructure and piezoresistivity of the laminated ceramic were investigated. The turning experiment was carried out. The results indicate that the microstructure of laminated ceramic was similar with different thickness ratio. However, the thickness ratio can influence the mechanical properties of laminated ceramics by residual thermal stress. The residual thermal stress, fracture toughness of the laminated ceramic surface initially increase and then decrease with an increasing in thickness ratio. When the thickness ratio was 0.2, the residual compressive stress on the laminated ceramic surface was maximum, and the laminated ceramic exhibit better mechanical properties. The flexural strength, fracture toughness, and Vickers hardness were 405 ± 13 MPa, 8.3 ± 0.12 MPa·m 1/2 , and 16.8 ± 0.2 GPa. Due to the similar microstructure, the piezoresistivity of laminated materials did not change with the variation of thickness ratio. The average gauge factor of laminated ceramics were around 7900. In addition, the time–resistance curves of the Si 3 N 4 –TiB 2 /SiCN–B 4 C laminated ceramic tool at cutting depths of 0.2 and 0.4 mm were measured through turning experiments. The measured cutting force curves are consistent with the simulated cutting force curves.