Microstructure and wear of TiC-cubic BN tools

Abstract Previous investigations of the wear of cubic boron nitride aggregate tools have shown that this is predominantly a chemical process involving the interaction of the tool with its environment and is restricted by the formation of protective layers on the exposed faces of the tool. Recently, the performance of such tools used in fine cutting operations has been improved by the addition of other components to the aggregate. The microstructure of these new composite tools has been investigated by selective etching and scanning electron microscopy. The wear features of a number of modified and unmodified tools used in fine cutting tests under identical conditions have been compared and the results have been interpreted in terms of the existing models for the wear of cubic-boron-nitride-based materials generally and the effects of the additives in the modified tools.