Method of cutting using silicon carbide whisker reinforced ceramic cutting tools
AssigneeAdvanced Composite Materials Corporation
InventorsJames F. Rhodes, Chester J. Dziedzic, Ronald L. Beatty
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Abstract
Cutting tools are disclosed which are comprised of composite bodies comprising a ceramic matrix reinforced by ceramic whiskers. The ceramic matrix may be alumina or silicon nitride, and may contain toughening components. The whiskers are preferably silicon carbide, but may be other known ceramic whiskers. Whisker content in the composite is 2-40%, with higher contents generally used for tools when the expected service involves interrupted cutting and lower contents generally used for continuous cutting tools.
Claims5
In a method of cutting metal wherein a cutting tool is brought into contact with a metal workpiece and the cutting tool and metal workpiece move relative to each other whereby metal is removed by the cutting tool from the metal workpiece, the improvement comprising using a sintered composite cutting tool having a matrix consisting essentially of alumina and 2-40 volume percent silicon carbide whiskers distributed therethrough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.