Silicon nitride – molybdenum cutting tools for the cast iron machining

This article presents the result of the study of the properties of silicon nitridemolybdenum cutting tools. It describes the technological process of manufacturing composites with the use of Spark Plasma Sintering as the consolidation method. Obtained composites are characterized with high relative density and high values of Vickers hardness and fracture toughness. Dry machining tests performed on cast iron (ACO Eurobar GG FP) shows that produced cutting tools are characterized with good cutting performance comparable with commercial cutting tool. Si3N4 cutting tool edges wear uniformly without cracking or chipping.