Journal Home > Volume 11 , Issue 2
Journal of Advanced Ceramics 2022, 11(2): 321-330 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40145-021-0536-4
Research Article | Open Access | Issue | Published: 11 January 2022

Influence of binder systems on sintering characteristics, microstructures, and mechanical properties of PcBN composites fabricated by SPS

Show Author's Information Shuna CHENa,b,  Hengzhong FANa,  Yunfeng SUa( ),  Wensheng LIc,  Jicheng LIa,b,  Bing YANc,  Junjie SONGa,  Litian HUa,  Yongsheng ZHANGa( )
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
Keywords:
polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PcBN), binder system, sintering characteristic, high temperature mechanical property, fracture mechanism
Cite this article:
CHEN S, FAN H, SU Y, et al. Influence of binder systems on sintering characteristics, microstructures, and mechanical properties of PcBN composites fabricated by SPS. Journal of Advanced Ceramics, 2022, 11(2): 321-330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40145-021-0536-4
Download citation
EndNote(RIS)
BibTeX

959

Views

162

Downloads

Citations

10

Crossref

11

WoS

11

Scopus

2

CSCD

Abstract Full text About this article

Cubic boron nitride (cBN) with high hardness, thermal conductivity, wear resistance, and chemical inertness has become the most promising abrasive and machining material. Due to the difficulty of fabricating pure cBN body, generally, some binders are incorporated among cBN particles to prepare polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PcBN). Hence, the binders play a critical factor to the performances of PcBN composites. In this study, the PcBN composites with three binder systems containing ceramic and metal phases were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) from 1400 to 1700 ℃. The sintering behaviors and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Results show that the effect of binder formulas on mechanical properties mainly related to the compactness, mechanical performances, and thermal expansion coefficient of binder phases, which affect the carrying capacity of the composites and the bonding strength between binder phases and cBN particles. The PcBN composite with SiAlON phase as binder presented optimal flexural strength (465±29 MPa) and fracture toughness (5.62±0.37 MPa·m1/2), attributing to the synergistic effect similar to transgranular and intergranular fractures. Meanwhile, the excellent mechanical properties can be maintained a comparable level when the temperature even rises to 800 ℃. Due to the weak bonding strength and high porosity, the PcBN composites with Al2O3-ZrO2(3Y) and Al-Ti binder systems exhibited inferior mechanical properties. The possible mechanisms to explain these results were also analyzed.


menu
Abstract
Full text
Outline
About this article

Influence of binder systems on sintering characteristics, microstructures, and mechanical properties of PcBN composites fabricated by SPS

Show Author's information Shuna CHENa,b, Hengzhong FANa, Yunfeng SUa( ), Wensheng LIc, Jicheng LIa,b, Bing YANc, Junjie SONGa, Litian HUa, Yongsheng ZHANGa( )
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China

Abstract

Cubic boron nitride (cBN) with high hardness, thermal conductivity, wear resistance, and chemical inertness has become the most promising abrasive and machining material. Due to the difficulty of fabricating pure cBN body, generally, some binders are incorporated among cBN particles to prepare polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PcBN). Hence, the binders play a critical factor to the performances of PcBN composites. In this study, the PcBN composites with three binder systems containing ceramic and metal phases were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) from 1400 to 1700 ℃. The sintering behaviors and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Results show that the effect of binder formulas on mechanical properties mainly related to the compactness, mechanical performances, and thermal expansion coefficient of binder phases, which affect the carrying capacity of the composites and the bonding strength between binder phases and cBN particles. The PcBN composite with SiAlON phase as binder presented optimal flexural strength (465±29 MPa) and fracture toughness (5.62±0.37 MPa·m1/2), attributing to the synergistic effect similar to transgranular and intergranular fractures. Meanwhile, the excellent mechanical properties can be maintained a comparable level when the temperature even rises to 800 ℃. Due to the weak bonding strength and high porosity, the PcBN composites with Al2O3-ZrO2(3Y) and Al-Ti binder systems exhibited inferior mechanical properties. The possible mechanisms to explain these results were also analyzed.

Keywords: polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PcBN), binder system, sintering characteristic, high temperature mechanical property, fracture mechanism

References(32)

[1]
Denkena B, Grove T, Müller-Cramm D, et al. Influence of the cutting direction angle on the tool wear behavior in face plunge grinding of PcBN. Wear 2020, 454-455: 203325.
DOI Google Scholar
[2]
McKie A, Winzer J, Sigalas I, et al. Mechanical properties of cBN-Al composite materials. Ceram Int 2011, 37: 1-8.
DOI Google Scholar
[3]
Mo P, Chen C, Jia G, et al. Effect of tungsten content on microstructure and mechanical properties of PCBN synthesized in cBN-Ti-Al-W system. Int J Refract Met Hard Mat 2020, 87: 105138.
DOI Google Scholar
[4]
Klimczyk P, Cura ME, Vlaicu AM, et al. Al2O3-cBN composites sintered by SPS and HPHT methods. J Eur Ceram Soc 2016, 36: 1783-1789.
DOI Google Scholar
[5]
Ji H, Li Z, Sun K, et al. Effect of Y2O3 additive on properties of cBN composites with Si3N4-Al2O3-Al as binder by high temperature and high pressure sintering. Ceram Int 2019, 45: 20478-20483.
DOI Google Scholar
[6]
Rong XZ, Tsurumi T, Fukunaga O, et al. High-pressure sintering of cBN-TiN-Al composite for cutting tool application. Diamond Relat Mater 2002, 11: 280-286.
DOI Google Scholar
[7]
Taniguchi T, Akaishi M, Yamaoka S. Sintering of cubic boron nitride without additives at 7.7 GPa and above 2000 ℃. J Mater Res 1999, 14: 162-169.
DOI Google Scholar
[8]
Mo P, Chen C, Chen J, et al. Effect of sintering temperature on synthesis of PCBN in cBN-Ti-Al-W system. Diam Relat Mater 2020, 103: 107714.
DOI Google Scholar
[9]
Angseryd J, Elfwing M, Olsson E, et al. Detailed microstructure of a cBN based cutting tool material. Int J Refract Met Hard Mater 2009, 27: 249-255.
DOI Google Scholar
[10]
Liu Y, Sun A, Zhong S, et al. Effect of Al-Ti content on mechanical properties of in-situ synthesized PcBN composites. Diam Relat Mat 2020, 109: 108068.
DOI Google Scholar
[11]
Yu R, Melnichuk I, Garashchenko V, et al. Influence of cBN content, Al2O3 and Si3N4 additives and their morphology on microstructure, properties, and wear of PCBN with NbN binder. Ceram Int 2020, 46: 22230-22238.
DOI Google Scholar
[12]
Klimczyk P, Wyżga P, Cyboroń J, et al. Phase stability and mechanical properties of Al2O3-cBN composites prepared via spark plasma sintering. Diam Relat Mater 2020, 104: 107762.
DOI Google Scholar
[13]
Rampai T, Lang CI, Sigalas I. Investigation of MAX phase/c-BN composites. Ceram Int 2013, 39: 4739-4748.
DOI Google Scholar
[14]
Zhang Z, Duan XM, Qiu BF, et al. Preparation and anisotropic properties of textured structural ceramics: A review. J Adv Ceram 2019, 8: 289-332.
DOI Google Scholar
[15]
Hotta M, Goto T. Effect of time on microstructure and hardness of β-SiAlON-cubic boron nitride composites during spark plasma sintering. Ceram Int 2011, 37: 521-524.
DOI Google Scholar
[16]
Dai JW, Mu RD, Wang X, et al. Effects of ZrO2 doping on mechanical and thermo-physical properties of La2Ce2O7 ceramics. Equip Environ Eng 2019, 16: 21-26. (in Chinese)
Google Scholar
[17]
Wang X, Ma Z, Sun X, et al. Effects of ZrO2 and Y2O3 on physical and mechanical properties of ceramic bond and ceramic CBN composites. Int J Refract Met Hard Mater 2018, 75: 18-24.
DOI Google Scholar
[18]
Yuan Y, Cheng X, Chang R, et al. Reactive sintering cBN-Ti-Al composites by spark plasma sintering. Diam Relat Mater 2016, 69: 138-143.
DOI Google Scholar
[19]
Permin DA, Boldin MS, Belyaev AV, et al. IR-transparent MgO-Gd2O3 composite ceramics produced by self- propagating high-temperature synthesis and spark plasma sintering. J Adv Ceram 2021, 10: 237-246.
DOI Google Scholar
[20]
Ahmed BA, Laoui T, Hakeem AS. Development of calcium stabilized nitrogen rich α-SiAlON ceramics along the Si3N4:1/2Ca3N2:3AlN line using spark plasma sintering. J Adv Ceram 2020, 9: 606-616.
DOI Google Scholar
[21]
Garrett JC, Sigalas I, Herrmann M, et al. cBN reinforced Y-α-SiAlON composites. J Eur Ceram Soc 2013, 33: 2191-2198.
DOI Google Scholar
[22]
Ren XJ, Yang QX, James RD, et al. Cutting temperatures in hard turning chromium hardfacings with PCBN tooling. J Mater Process Technol 2004, 147: 38-44.
DOI Google Scholar
[23]
Vel L, Demazeau G, Etourneau J. Cubic boron nitride: Synthesis, physicochemical properties and applications. Mater Sci Eng: B 1991, 10: 149-164.
DOI Google Scholar
[24]
Harris TK, Brookes EJ, Taylor CJ. The effect of temperature on the hardness of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride cutting tool materials. Int J Refract Met Hard Mater 2004, 22: 105-110.
DOI Google Scholar
[25]
Dou YW, Kou ZL, Qi L, et al. Turning hardened bearing steel with PcBN tool. Daimond & Abrasives Eng 2010, 30: 54-57. (in Chinese)
Google Scholar
[26]
Gan L, Mao ZY, Zhang YQ, et al. Effect of composition variation on phases and photoluminescence properties of β-SiAlON:Ce3+ phosphor. Ceram Int 2013, 39: 4633-4637.
DOI Google Scholar
[27]
Acikbas NC, Demir O. The effect of cation type, intergranular phase amount and cation mole ratios on z value and intergranular phase crystallization of SiAlON ceramics. Ceram Int 2013, 39: 3249-3259.
DOI Google Scholar
[28]
Barick P, Jana DC, Saha BP. Load-dependent indentation behavior of β-SiAlON and α-silicon carbide. J Adv Ceram 2013, 2: 185-192.
DOI Google Scholar
[29]
Sun X, Li JG, Guo S, et al. Intragranular particle residual stress strengthening of Al2O3-SiC nanocomposites. J Am Ceram Soc 2005, 88: 1536-1543.
DOI Google Scholar
[30]
Sun Q, Yang J, Yu Y, et al. The novel SiAlON-Sn composite with high toughness and wear resistance prepared at a lower-temperature. Tribol Int 2020, 147: 106239.
DOI Google Scholar
[31]
Sun QC, Wang ZX, Yang J, et al. High-performance TiN reinforced SiAlON matrix composites: A good combination of excellent toughness and tribological properties at a wide temperature range. Ceram Int 2018, 44: 17258-17265.
DOI Google Scholar
[32]
Klemm H, Herrmann M, Reich T, et al. High-temperature properties of mixed α′/β′-SiAlON materials. J Am Ceram Soc 2005, 81: 1141-1148.
DOI Google Scholar
Publication history
Copyright
Acknowledgements
Rights and permissions

Publication history

Received: 28 May 2021
Revised: 25 August 2021
Accepted: 11 September 2021
Published: 11 January 2022
Issue date: February 2022

Copyright

© The Author(s) 2021.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51775534), the West Light Foundation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2019), and the LICP Cooperation Foundation for Young Scholars (No. HZJJ21-07).

Rights and permissions

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made.

The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder.

To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

Return