Research on the Advanced Ceramic Die Materials and Their Properties

Abstract

The composition, processing technology, mechanical property and engineering performance of ceramic materials such as cermet, ZTA, TZP, TZP/Al2O3, PSZ, Si3N4 and Sialon, etc, have been predominantly summarized when they are used as die materials in various operations such as drawing, extrusion, punching and stamping etc. The problems existed in the research and application of ceramic die materials are discussed, and the perspectives in the application of ceramic die materials are pointed out. It is concluded that advanced ceramic material is one of the most promising die materials because of its high hardness, high wear resistance, superior high-temperature property and chemical stability and good engineering performance, compared with other die materials such as die steel and cemented carbides. It is proposed that nano composite and functionally gradient ceramic, surface modification technology with ceramic, optimal design of die structures and die reliability research, etc. are all the potential and effective methods in the improvement of mechanical property and engineering performance of ceramic die materials.