Development of Cermet Materials for Cutting Tools

Ti(C,N)-based cermets have higher hardness and superior resistance to adhesion compared to cemented carbides and are therefore widely used as cutting tool materials. However, their strength and toughness are lower than those of cemented carbides, making them more susceptible to chipping and fracture during cutting operations. To improve the fracture resistance of cermets, methods such as the addition of a third element like tungsten (W) and optimization of nitrogen content have been employed. Nevertheless, in order to meet the demands of severe cutting conditions in high-efficiency machining, it is essential to further enhance fracture resistance. In response, our company has developed and commercialized a high-strength, ultrafine-grained Ti(C,N)-based cermet by refining the Ti(C,N) particles to improve cutting performance. In this paper, we introduce the property improvements achieved by refining Ti(C,N) particles and the related sintering technology.