COMPOSITE FORMED OF CUBIC BORON NITRIDE WITHOUT Ti-BASED CERAMIC COMPOUND AND METHOD OF MAKING THEREOF

Abstract

To provide a better cBN-based composite that has improved properties for cutting or machining difficult-to-cut materials.SOLUTION: A cubic boron nitride (cBN)-based composite includes about 30-65 vol.% of cBN, about 3-30 vol.% of zirconium (Zr)-containing compounds, about 0-10 vol.% cobalt-tungsten-boride (CoxWyBz), about 2-30 vol.% of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), about 0.5-10 vol.% of tungsten boride, and less than or equal to about 5 vol.% of aluminum nitride (AlN).SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field and Industrial Applicability The present disclosure generally relates to composite materials formed of cubic boron nitride, as well as methods of making and using them. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to composite materials useful in machining difficult-to-cut materials.

Background Art

[0002] In the following discussion of background art, specific structures and / or methods are mentioned. However, the mention herein should not be construed as an admission that these structures and / or methods constitute prior art. Applicants expressly reserve the right to demonstrate that such structures and / or methods are not eligible as prior art.

[0003] Cubic boron nitride (cBN) is a superhard material often used to form cBN-based composites for application in cutting and / or machining. To improve resistance to chemical wear, certain ceramic materials such as, for example, alumina (Al 2 O 3 ), titanium nitride (TiN), silicon nitride (SiN), etc. can be blended with cBN. However, such ceramic materials may not have sufficient hardness and / or heat resistance to perform optimally when machining hard materials. For example, when cutting or machining difficult-to-cut materials such as, in particular, heat-resistant superalloys, existing cBN-based composites can still exhibit rapid wear, breakage, and / or malfunction. Accordingly, there is a need for better cBN-based composites having improved properties for cutting or machining difficult-to-cut materials.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] A cubic boron nitride (cBN)-based composite material is provided. The composite material comprises about 30 to 65% by volume of cBN, about 3 to 30% by volume of a zirconium (Zr)-containing compound, about 0 to 10% by volume of cobalt-tungsten-boride (Co 2 O 3 ), about 2 to 30% by volume of aluminum oxide (Al

[0005] ), about 0.5 to 10% by volume of tungsten boride, and about 5% by volume or less of aluminum nitride (AlN). x W y B z ), about 2 to 30% by volume of aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), about 0.5 to 10% by volume of tungsten boride, and about 5% by volume or less of aluminum nitride (AlN). The method includes drying the first mixture to form a second mixture and filling the second mixture into one or more heat-resistant molds. The method also includes sintering the second mixture under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions.

[0006] A cutting tool comprising a sintered cubic boron nitride (cBN)-based compact is further provided. The cBN-based compact comprises about 30 to 65% by volume of cBN, about 3 to 30% by volume of a zirconium (Zr)-containing compound, about 0 to 10% by volume of cobalt-tungsten-boride (Co x W y B z ), about 2 to 30% by volume of aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3) It contains about 0.5 to 10% by volume of tungsten boride and about 5% by volume or less of aluminum nitride (AlN). The sintered compact is formed by mixing powders of a cBN-based formulation for forming a sintered cBN-based compact, forming a first mixture, drying the first mixture to form a second mixture, filling the second mixture into one or more heat-resistant molds, and sintering the second mixture under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions to form the sintered compact.

[0007] The foregoing summary, when read in combination with the accompanying drawings, as well as the detailed description of the following embodiments, can be better understood. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are not limited to the exact arrangements and means shown.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The present disclosure relates to composites or sintered compacts formed of cubic boron nitride (cBN), and methods of making and using the same. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to improved cBN-based composites useful for cutting and machining difficult-to-cut materials such as superalloys for applications requiring high strength in high temperature regions. For example, the cBN-based composites (e.g., sintered compacts) disclosed herein can be used to cut and / or machine nickel-based superalloys (e.g., Inconel 718, Inconel 625), cobalt-based superalloys (e.g., Alloy 188, Haynes 25, Alloy L605), iron-based superalloys (e.g., A286), or any material with inferior, equivalent, or superior mechanical properties to these superalloys.

[0010] Among other improvements, the cBN-based composites disclosed herein can include higher wear resistance, toughness, chemical resistance, hardness, and / or hot hardness. These improvements are at least partially due to the disclosed percentages of cBN, cobalt-tungsten-boride (Co x W y B z ), tungsten boride (WB, W 2 B, W 2 B 5 or combinations thereof), alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) and zirconium (Zr)-containing compounds (zirconium dioxide, zirconium nitride, zirconium carbide, zirconium carbonitride, zirconium diboride or combinations thereof). The present disclosure also describes a method for forming a cBN-based formulation into a sintered compact that can be used for cutting or machining difficult-to-cut materials.

[0011] With the foregoing in mind, Tables 1 and 2 list the compositions of exemplary cBN-based composites (e.g., sintered compacts). An exemplary method for forming a cBN-based composite is depicted in the flowchart of FIG. 1. In Tables 1 and 2, all volume % (vol.%) listed are based on the total volume % of the cBN-based composite. TIFF2025084769000001.tif70170TIFF2025084769000002.tif70170

[0012] CBN-based composite materials (e.g., sintered compacts) may contain about 30 to 65% by volume of CBN, about 40 to 60% by volume of CBN, about 45 to 55% by volume of CBN, about 50% by volume of CBN, or about 60% by volume of CBN. Further, the CBN-based composite material may contain about 0 to 15% by volume (e.g., about 0.1 to 15% by volume) of Co x W y B z and about 0 to 10% by volume (e.g., about 0.1 to 10% by volume) of Co x W y B z and about 3 to 15% by volume of Co x W y B z and about 3 to 12% by volume of Co x W y B z or about 3 to 8% by volume of Co x W y B z and may also contain about 0.5 to 10% by volume of tungsten boride, about 0.5 to 6% by volume of tungsten boride, about 3 to 8% by volume of tungsten boride, or about 1 to 3% by volume of tungsten boride. As provided, the CBN-based composite material contains about 2 to 30% by volume of Al 2 O 3 and about 5 to 25% by volume of Al 2 O 3 and about 2 to 15% by volume of Al 2 O 3 and about 10 to 20% by volume of Al 2 O 3 or about 5 to 10% by volume of Al 2 O 3It may also contain. The cBN-based composite material may also contain about 2 to 30% by volume of a zirconium-containing compound, about 5 to 25% by volume of a zirconium-containing compound, about 8 to 15% by volume of a zirconium-containing compound, or about 3 to 15% by volume of a zirconium-containing compound. Further, the cBN-based composite material may contain aluminum nitride (AlN) of about 5% by volume or less (for example, about 0.01 to 1% by volume of AlN, about 0.01 to 4% by volume of AlN, about 0.01 to 3% by volume of AlN, or about 0.01 to 1% by volume of AlN). The tungsten boride disclosed herein is WB, W 2 B, W 2 B 5 or a combination thereof. The zirconium-containing compound disclosed herein may contain zirconium dioxide (ZrO 2 ), zirconium nitride (ZrN), zirconium carbide (ZrC), zirconium carbonitride (ZrCN), zirconium diboride (ZrB 2 ) or a combination thereof. Zirconium dioxide can be in the cubic phase (c-ZrO 2 ), monoclinic phase (m-ZrO 2 ) and / or tetragonal phase.

[0013] Figure 1 depicts an exemplary method 100 for forming a cBN-based composite material (e.g., a sintered compact). The exemplary method 100 includes mixing powders of a cBN-based formulation to form a first mixture (step 102). The cBN-based formulation is one or more powder formulations, for example, a powder containing or consisting of cBN, zirconium dioxide (which can be in the cubic, monoclinic and / or tetragonal phases), ZrN, ZrC, ZrCN and / or ZrB 2 powders containing zirconium, such as powders containing aluminum 2 O 3Powders containing aluminum or consisting of aluminum, such as powders containing and / or AlN, powders containing tungsten (W) or consisting of W, powders containing cobalt (Co) or consisting of Co, powders containing boron (B) or consisting of B, and combinations thereof, may be included in or may consist of a powder-form formulation. Step 102 includes providing a powder that can be used to form a cBN-based composite material (e.g., a composition shown in Table 1 or 2) disclosed herein. The powder can be nano- and / or micron-sized powder. For example, the average particle size of the powder of the cBN-based formulation can range from nanometers (nm) to micrometers (μm), i.e., about 100 nm to 6 μm. Step 102 includes mixing the powders to form a mixture or slurry. The powders can be mixed using any suitable powder-making or blending technique (e.g., an attrition mill or a ball mill). The powders can be milled or blended in any suitable solvent, such as ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, methanol, hexane, heptane, or combinations thereof, to form a first mixture. The powder-making conditions (e.g., time, revolutions per minute, type of medium or solvent, etc.) can be adjusted or regulated according to the size and / or type of the powder-making machine used to achieve the desired mixing effect (e.g., powder distribution and uniformity, etc.).

[0014] Step 100 may include drying the first mixture to form a second mixture (Step 104). The first mixture or slurry formed in Step 102 can be dried using any suitable technique for substantially removing the solvent and / or binder in the first mixture, such as vacuum drying, natural drying, etc.

[0015] Process 100 may include filling a second mixture into a heat-resistant mold (step 106). The heat-resistant mold can be made of any suitable material, including any suitable heat-resistant metal such as titanium, niobium, molybdenum, etc. Step 106 may include filling the second mixture into the heat-resistant mold and covering it with a cemented carbide (WC-Co) disk that fits exactly within the opening of the mold. Step 106 may also include sealing the heat-resistant mold containing the second mixture and / or the WC-Co substrate / disk.

[0016] Process 100 may include sintering the second mixture under high pressure and high temperature conditions (step 108). The sealed heat-resistant mold containing the second mixture can be placed within a high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) cell, and HPHT sintering conditions are applied to form the cBN-based composite material (e.g., sintered compact) disclosed herein. Step 108 may include sintering the second mixture at a pressure of about 5 gigapascals (GPa) to 8 GPa and a temperature of about 1300 to 1600 °C. Step 108 may include sintering the second mixture at a pressure of at least about 4 GPa and a temperature of at least about 1100 °C. The cBN-based composite material (e.g., sintered compact) may have a cBN grain size in the nanometer or submicron range, such as about 0.1 to 10 μm, about 0.1 to 8 μm, about 0.1 to 6 μm, about 0.1 to 4 μm, about 0.1 to 2 μm, about 2 to 4 μm, about 0.1 to 1 μm, about 0.8 to 1.2 μm, or about 1 μm.

[0017] The cBN-based composite material (e.g., sintered compact) formed by method 100 can be used for cutting or machining difficult-to-cut materials. For example, the cBN-based composite material formed by method 100 can be formed into a cutting tool for cutting and / or machining high-strength superalloys, including nickel-based superalloys (e.g., Inconel 718, Inconel 625), cobalt-based superalloys (e.g., Alloy 188, Haynes 25, Alloy L605), iron-based superalloys (e.g., A286), or any material with inferior, equivalent, or superior mechanical properties to these superalloys.

[0018] Without being bound by a particular theory, the compositions and phases of the cBN-based composite materials (e.g., sintered compacts) disclosed herein can contribute to improving wear resistance, toughness, chemical resistance, hardness, hot hardness, or combinations thereof, and thereby can contribute to improving cutting and machining capabilities. Table 3 shows exemplary cutting performance when using cutting tools made of the cBN-based composite materials (e.g., sintered compacts) disclosed herein. TIFF2025084769000003.tif114170

[0019] In the examples shown, Samples 1-5 represent cutting tools made of cBN-based composite materials (e.g., sintered compacts) formed based on the compositions shown in Tables 1 and 2 and Method 100 described in FIG. 1. The cutting tests were performed on Inconel 718 at a speed of 350 meters per minute (m / min) and a feed rate of 0.15 millimeters per revolution (mm / revolution) with coolant continuously applied to the cutting interface. The cutting tests were performed on Samples 1-5 for a predetermined flank wear of 0.25 mm. The cutting distance in kilometers (km) at the end of tool life is shown in the rightmost column in Table 3.

[0020] Both Sample 1 and Sample 2 contain about 60 volume% cBN, an Al-containing phase or compound (Al 2 O 3 and / or AlN), a Zr-containing phase or compound (ZrCN and / or ZrB 2 ), and a W-containing phase or compound (WB, W 2 B, W 2 B 5 , CoW 2 B 2 , and / or CoWB), and neither contains a titanium (Ti)-containing phase or compound. The difference between Sample 1 and Sample 2 is that Sample 2 contains W 2 B 5 and Co x W y B z (CoW 2 B 2, CoW 3 B 3 ), and / or CoWB), while Sample 1 does not contain it, and Sample 2 has a slightly smaller sintered grain size. The cutting distance is 0.8 km for Sample 1 and 1.0 km for Sample 2. Both Sample 3 and Sample 4 contain about 50 vol% cBN, an Al-containing phase or compound (Al 2 O 3 ), a Zr-containing phase or compound (ZrCN and / or ZrB 2 ), and a W-containing phase or compound (WB, WC, CoW 2 B 2 , CoW 3 B 3 ), and / or CoWB), and neither contains a titanium (Ti)-containing phase or compound. The difference between Sample 3 and Sample 4 is that Sample 3 contains ZrB 2 while Sample 4 does not, and Sample 4 contains WC while Sample 3 does not. The cutting distance is 1.3 km for Sample 3 and 1.0 km for Sample 4. Sample 5 also contains about 50 vol% cBN, but Sample 5 contains a Ti-containing phase or compound (titanium carbonitride (TiCN) and / or titanium nitride (TiN)), and is different from Samples 1 - 4 in that it does not contain a Zr-containing phase or compound and Co x W y B z . The cutting distance of Sample 5 is 0.7 km.

[0021] Without being bound by a particular theory, the presence of Al 2 O 3 , the presence of Co x W y B z , the presence of tungsten boride, and the presence of Zr-containing compounds are thought to contribute to improved cutting ability. It is also thought that cBN-based composites with a relatively small cBN content (e.g., about 50 vol%, about 45 - 55 vol%) may have better cutting ability than those with a relatively large cBN content (e.g., about 60 vol%, about 65 vol%). In some embodiments, Al 2 O 3 , Co x W y Bz , a cBN-based composite material containing tungsten boride and a Zr-containing compound and free or substantially free of a Ti-containing compound (e.g., titanium nitride (TiN), titanium carbonitride (TiCN), titanium carbide (TiC), titanium carbon oxynitride (TiCON), titanium oxynitride (TiNO), or combinations thereof), has a titanium (Ti)-containing binder but tungsten boride and / or Co x W y B z is considered to have better cutting ability than those without it.

[0022] Without being bound by a particular theory, a particular combination and / or exclusion of particular crystal phases is considered to contribute to the enhanced cutting ability of the cBN-based composite materials (e.g., sintered compacts) disclosed herein. For example, Co x W y B z is present as a crystal phase in the cBN-based composite material (e.g., sintered compact), thereby contributing to improved cutting ability. For example, Co x W y B z may be present as one or more crystalline CoWB, crystalline CoW 2 B 2 , and / or crystalline CoW 3 B 3 . For example, the Zr-containing compound may be present as ZrB 2 and / or ZrCN in the cBN-based composite material (e.g., sintered compact), thereby contributing to improved cutting ability. For example, tungsten boride (e.g., WB, W 2 B and W 2 B 5 such as) is present in the cBN-based composite material (e.g., sintered compact), thereby contributing to improved cutting ability.

[0023] In some embodiments, the cBN-based composite materials (e.g., sintered compacts) disclosed herein are aluminum nitride (AlN) and / or aluminum diboride (AlB 2) may be substantially free of them, or they may be excluded. In some embodiments, the cBN-based composite materials (e.g., sintered compacts) disclosed herein may be substantially free of titanium (Ti)-containing compounds or phases (e.g., TiCN, TiN), or they may be excluded. In some embodiments, the cBN-based composite materials (e.g., sintered compacts) disclosed herein may contain a very small content of, or a negligible amount of, AlN, such as less than 1 volume % of AlN. In some embodiments, the cBN-based composite materials (e.g., sintered compacts) disclosed herein may contain Al 2 O 3 and Zr-containing compounds. In some embodiments, the cBN-based composite materials (e.g., sintered compacts) disclosed herein may be substantially free of W 2 C 21 B 6 or it may be excluded.

[0024] X-ray diffraction (XRD) may be performed on the cBN-based composite materials (e.g., sintered compacts) disclosed herein to identify the existing phases. Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5 show the XRD spectra of Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3, and Sample 4, respectively. The XRD spectrum of Figure 2 demonstrates that Sample 1 contains the cBN phase, and Al 2 O 3 , AlN, ZrB 2 , WB, and other major phases containing W 2 B. The XRD spectrum of Figure 3 demonstrates that Sample 2 contains the cBN phase, and Al 2 O 3 , ZrCN, W 2 B, W 2 B 5 , CoWB, and other major phases containing CoW 2 B 2 . As shown by the XRD spectrum of Figure 3, CoW 3 B 3 is present. The XRD spectrum of Figure 4 demonstrates that Sample 3 contains the cBN phase, and Al 2 O 3 , ZrB2, ZrCN, WB, CoW 2 B2 and other major phases including CoWB, is proven. The XRD spectrum of Figure 5 shows that Sample 4 contains the cBN phase, and Al 2 O 3 , ZrCN, WB, WC, CoW 2 B 2 and other major phases including CoWB, is proven. As shown by the XRD spectrum of Figure 5, CoW 3 B 3 is present.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter described herein pertains.

[0026] For example, when ranges of values, such as concentration ranges, percentage ranges, or ratio ranges, are provided, each intervening value between the upper and lower limits of that range, down to one tenth of the lower limit unit, and any other specified value or intervening value within any other specified range, is understood to be included in the subject matter described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included within the smaller range, and such embodiments are also included in the subject matter described, subject to any specifically excluded limiting values from that specified range. When the specified range includes one or both of the limiting values, ranges excluding either or both of those included limiting values are also included in the subject matter described.

[0027] The terms "a" and "an" as used above and elsewhere in this disclosure are to be construed to refer to "one or more" of the enumerated components. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the use of the singular form includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. Thus, the terms "a", "an", and "at least one" are used interchangeably in this application.

[0028] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as size, weight, reaction conditions, etc., used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Throughout this application, the term "about" can mean a numerical value within plus or minus 10% of the numerical value in use. Thus, about 50% can mean a range from 45% to 55%. According to this, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and the appended claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the invention. At a minimum, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the reported number of significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0029] Throughout this application, descriptions of various embodiments have used the language "comprising", but some will be understood by those skilled in the art that an embodiment could alternatively be described using the language "consisting essentially of" or "consisting of".

[0030] Although specific embodiments have been referred to, it is clear that other embodiments and variations can be devised by other persons skilled in the art without departing from their spirit and scope. The appended claims are intended to be construed to include all such embodiments and equivalent variations.

Claims

1. About 30-65 volume percent cubic boron nitride (cBN); About 3-30 volume percent of a zirconium (Zr)-containing compound; About 0 to 10% by volume of cobalt-tungsten-boride (Co ｘ W ｙ B ｚ ). Approximately 2 to 30% by volume of aluminum oxide (Al ２ O ３ ). About 0.5 to 10 volume percent tungsten boride; and Aluminum nitride (AlN) up to about 5% by volume 1. A cBN-based composite comprising:

2. About 45-55 vol. % cBN, about 8-15 vol. % Zr-containing compound, about 3-8 vol. % Co ｘ W ｙ B ｚ , about 5 to 25 volume percent Al ２ O ３ 10. The cBN-based composite of claim 1, comprising about 3-8 volume percent tungsten boride, and less than 1 volume percent AlN.

3. 10. The cBN-based composite of claim 1 , excluding Ti-containing compounds.

4. Tungsten boride is WB, W ２ B.W. ２ B ５ 10. The cBN-based composite of claim 1, comprising:

5. Co ｘ W ｙ B ｚ is crystalline CoWB, crystalline CoW ２ B ２ , crystalline CoW ３ B ３ 10. The cBN-based composite of claim 1, comprising:

6. Co ｘ W ｙ B ｚ W ２ Co ２１ B ６ 2. The cBN-based composite of claim 1 except for

7. Aluminum nitride (AlN), aluminum diboride (AlB ２ 10. The cBN-based composite of claim 1 , excluding:

8. Zr-containing compounds include zirconium nitride (ZrN), zirconium carbide (ZrC), zirconium carbonitride (ZrCN), zirconium diboride (ZrB ２ ), zirconium dioxide (ZrO ２ 10. The cBN-based composite of claim 1, comprising:

9. 13. A cutting tool for cutting superalloys, including Inconel 718, Inconel 625, Alloy 188, Haynes 25, Alloy L605, and / or A286, the cutting tool comprising the cBN-based composite of claim 1.

10. 10. The cBN-based composite of claim 1 having a grain size of about 0.1 to 4 micrometers (μm).

11. 1. A method for forming a cubic boron nitride (cBN) based composite material comprising: Mixing powders of a cBN-based formulation for forming a cBN-based composite to form a first mixture, the cBN-based composite comprising: About 30-65 volume percent cBN; About 3-30 volume percent of a zirconium (Zr)-containing compound; About 0 to 10% by volume of cobalt-tungsten-boride (Co ｘ W ｙ B ｚ ). Approximately 2 to 30% by volume of aluminum oxide (Al ２ O ３ ). About 0.5 to 10 volume percent tungsten boride; and Aluminum nitride (AlN) up to about 5% by volume forming a first mixture comprising: drying the first mixture to form a second mixture; filling the second mixture into one or more heat-resistant molds; and sintering the second mixture under high pressure and high temperature conditions; The method includes:

12. 12. The method of claim 11, comprising mixing a powder of the cBN-based compound with one or more solvents comprising ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, methanol, hexane, heptane, or combinations thereof to form a first mixture.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein drying the first mixture comprises vacuum drying the first mixture.

14. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein packing the second mixture comprises placing the second mixture and a cemented carbide (WC-Co) substrate or disk into one or more refractory forms.

15. 12. The method of claim 11, comprising sintering the second mixture at a pressure of at least 4 gigapascals (GPa) and a temperature of at least 1100°C.

16. 1. A cutting tool comprising: About 30-65 volume percent cBN; About 3-30 volume percent of a zirconium (Zr)-containing compound; About 0 to 10% by volume of cobalt-tungsten-boride (Co ｘ W ｙ B ｚ ). Approximately 2 to 30% by volume of aluminum oxide (Al ２ O ３ ). About 0.5 to 10 volume percent tungsten boride; and Aluminum nitride (AlN) up to about 5% by volume The present invention relates to a sintered cubic boron nitride (cBN) based compact comprising: mixing powders of a cBN-based formulation for forming a sintered cBN-based compact to form a first mixture; drying the first mixture to form a second mixture; filling the second mixture into one or more heat-resistant molds; and sintering the second mixture under high pressure and high temperature conditions to form a sintered compact. Formed by a cutting tool.

17. The sintered cBN-based compact is comprised of about 45-55 vol. % cBN, about 8-15 vol. % Zr-containing compound, about 3-8 vol. % Co. ｘ W ｙ B ｚ , about 5 to 25 volume percent Al ２ O ３ 17. The cutting tool of claim 16, comprising about 3-8 volume percent tungsten boride, and less than 1 volume percent AlN.

18. The sintered cBN-based compact is ２ Co ２１ B ６ , aluminum nitride (AlN), aluminum diboride (AlB ２ 17. The cutting tool of claim 16, excluding any one of the following:

19. Zr-containing compounds include zirconium nitride (ZrN), zirconium carbide (ZrC), zirconium carbonitride (ZrCN), zirconium diboride (ZrB ２ ), zirconium dioxide (ZrO ２ 17. The cutting tool of claim 16, comprising:

20. 17. The cutting tool of claim 16, wherein the sintered cBN-based compact excludes Ti-containing compounds.

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