LAUSR

Abstract Starting from TiB2, Mo, Co, and C powders, TiB2-based ceramics for cutting tools were prepared by hot-pressing at 1900 °C. The densification, microstructure and mechanical properties of TiB2–Mo–Co and TiB2–Mo–Co–C samples were evaluated. More importantly, the cutting performance of these ceramics were examined by high-speed turning of Ti6Al4V alloy (vc = 150 m/min, ap = 0.5 mm). It was found that the hardness of these two specimens was comparable (~19 GPa) and the tool life of TiB2–Mo–Co was longer than that of TiB2–Mo–Co–C. In order to investigate the wear behavior, the dominant wear mode of TiB2-based cutting tools with different feed rate was compared with commercial WC-Co cutting tool. The combination of microstructure and composition results revealed that the superior cutting performance of TiB2-based ceramic cutting tools could be mainly attribute to their better oxidation resistance, better high-temperature mechanical properties, and lower affinity with titanium alloy than WC-Co composite tools.