Hard Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with Cubic Boron Nitride
Cubic boron nitride (cBN) composites with hardmetal such as metal turning and rocks drilling, WC-Co, matrix are alternative substitutes for similar diamond composites in high speed machining operations and rocks and drilling. Although it possesses related technical properties close to diamond, cBN has the inconvenience of reacting with hardmetals. This deteriorates the composite properties. A possible solution to this negative effect is to apply high pressures during the sintering operation. In this work, powder mixtures of cBN with a hardmetal (WC15%Co) were subjected to pressures up to 7.0GPa and temperatures up to 1400°C for 40 seconds. The results showed significantly higher values of hardness and compressive strength as well as an improved wear resistance.