A Critical Review of High-Temperature Tribology and Cutting Performance of Cermet and Ceramic Tool Materials

Abstract

Cermet materials exhibit advanced mechanical and tribological properties, and are widely used for tribology, elevated temperature, and machining applications due to their unique amalgamation of hardness, strength, and toughness. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of various cermet systems and recent advances in high-temperature tribology and cutting performance of cermet and ceramic tool materials. It outlines microstructural properties, such as lessening grain sizes, obtaining extended grains, lowering grain boundary phase content, amorphous grain boundary phases crystallizing, inter-granular phase strengthening, and managing crack propagation path. Additionally, surface processing or surface modifications, such as surface texturing, appropriate roughness, or coating technique, can optimize the ceramic and cermet tribological performances. The purpose of this study is to present some guidelines for the design of ceramics and cermets with reduced friction and wear and increased cutting performance. The current research progress concerning tribological properties and surface texturing of cutting tool inserts is critically identified. Lubrication techniques are required in commercial applications to increase the lifetime of cutting tools used in harsh conditions. Liquid lubricants are still commonly utilized in relative motion; however, they have the limitations of not working in extreme settings, such as high-temperature environments. As a result, global research is presently underway to produce new solid lubricants for use in a variety of such conditions. This review also provides a quick outline of current research on this topic.