WEAR SIMULATION OF SI3N4 CUTTING-TOOL MATERIAL ON A PIN-ON-DISC TESTER

Si3N4-based ceramic cutting tools are used nowadays for machining cast iron, nickel-based alloys, etc. Austenitic stainless steel AISI 321 i s one of the most difficult to cut materials. In order to investigate the wear behaviour of Si3N4 ceramic when cutting the stainless steel, wear tests are carried out on a pin-on-disc tribometer, which can simu late a realistic cutting process. The selected load range is from 58.8 N to 235.2 N, the speed range is from 0.8 m/s to 3.2 m/s. The test re sults show that the wear of Si3N4 ceramic increases with both load and speed and the wear of the ceramic is mainly caused by adhesion betwee n the rubbing surfaces. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron p robe microanalyser (EPMA) and energy dispersive X-ray analyser (EDXS) were used for examinations of the worn surfaces. The wear mechanisms o f Si3N4 ceramic sliding against the stainless steel were discussed in detail. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited and Techna S.r.l.