Production of alpha-beta SiAlON-TiN/TiCN composites by gas pressure sintering

Abstract

Due to the favorable properties possessed by novel alpha-beta SiAlONs, they are attractive materials for cutting tool applications. Such applications require materials with high hardness, high fracture toughness and high strength. The present study reports on a preliminary investigation involving the production of alpha-beta SiAlON composites with the incorporation of TiN (ranging from 0 to 30-wt %) and TiCN (ranging from 0 to 10-wt %) by gas pressure sintering at 1920degreesC. The resultant microstructures were investigated using XRD and SEM techniques. Additionally, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of the representative samples were measured. It was shown that dense composites could be obtained by choosing a right amount of additions.