ZrO2-Al2O3 Sintered Cutting Material for Chipping Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sintered materials used in cutting tools, particularly those containing TiC and Al2O3, suffer from low toughness, leading to chipping during high-speed cutting operations.

Innovation Solution

A sintered material comprising partially stabilized ZrO2 with 1 to 90 volume % of Al2O3 dispersed in crystal grain boundaries or grains, combined with 5 to 95 volume % of carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides, enhances chipping resistance by optimizing the grain size and distribution of Al2O3 to improve toughness and wear resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-speed cutting is performed to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but chipping occurs due to low toughness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting speedVSAvoidchipping resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the microstructural parameters (Al2O3 grain size ≤1 μm, phase composition ratios) to enhance toughness, enabling the cutting tool to withstand high-speed cutting operations without chipping while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The sintered material exhibits excellent chipping and wear resistance, enabling effective high-speed cutting of difficult-to-cut steel materials with reduced flank wear and prolonged tool life.

Implementation Method 1

partially stabilized ZrO2 in which 1 to 90 volume % of Al2O3 is dispersed in crystal grain boundaries or crystal grains

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 2

Sintered material and cutting tool including same

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentUS12070802B2Sintered material and cutting tool including same
Publication Date: 2024.08.27 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A sintered material includes a first material and a second material, wherein the first material is partially stabilized ZrO2 in which 1 to 90 volume % of Al2O3 is dispersed in crystal grain boundaries or crystal grains, the Al2O3 is a grain having a grain size of less than or equal to 1 μm, and the second material is at least one compound selected from a group consisting of a carbide, a nitride, and a carbonitride, and 5 to 95 volume % of the second material is included in the sintered material.