Advanced coated ceramic tools for machining superalloys

The main limitation on the use of nickel-base superalloys, such as INCONEL 718, is the difficulty in conventional-type machining. The use of high cutting speed to achieve both machining adiabatic conditions and high productivity is necessary for their applications. This non-conventional type machining results in a short life-span of tools, even for those expensive ceramic ones with reinforced SiC whiskers (SiC_w) suitable for use at high cutting speeds. The aim of the paper is to present the results of a new idea proposed by the authors to obtain an increase in tool life at high cutting speed by minimizing the temperature effects on composite reinforcement mechanisms. The 2090 SiC whiskers reinforced A1₂O₃ tools were CrN and (Ti,AI)N coated using the PVD technique, and comparative machining tests on INCONEL 718 were carried out using uncoated and coated tools. After machining, the tools were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and EDAX (X-ray) semiquantitative analyses were performed. The behaviour of the CrN and (Ti,AI)N layers using various cutting conditions was analysed and different wear mechanisms along the tool chip contact length were observed. The cause and the mechanisms of wear were deduced and mathematic models linking tool life with process parameters were suggested.