Reinforcing Al2O3 with W-Ti mixed carbide

Recent advances in high-speed cutting materials have focused on reinforcing alumina with different carbides and nitrides in order to improve hardness and fracture toughness. However, data on mixed carbides is still scarce. Th e potential use of this type of material for cutting tool applications has yet to be determined. The present study reports some preliminary results ob tained reinforcing Al2O3 with WTiC in the range of 5-30 wt.%. The material was hot-pressed at 1650 degreesC for 30 min and then characterized. Vicker' s microhardness (H-V) and fracture toughness (K-IC) were evaluated by the i ndentation method. The addition of WTiC did not result in any significant c hange in the fracture toughness of alumina, however hardness values in exce ss of 22 GPa were obtained. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser ved.