Friction And Wear Analysis Of Ceramic Cutting Tool Made From Alumina-Zirconia-Chromia

This research focused on the friction and wear analysis of ceramic cutting tool made from Al2O3, ZrO2 and Cr2O3. 80 wt% of Al2O3 and 20 wt% of ZrO2 compacts were prepared by ball milling process with Cr2O3 addition at the variation of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 wt%. Each sample was pressed by Cold Isostatic Press at 350 MPa before sintered at the constant temperature of 1400oC and 9 hours soaking time. Relative density, hardness, flexural strength and Pin-on-disc tribotest were performed for each sample. The samples with desired mechanical properties were further machined with AISI 1045 at the cutting speed of 200 m/min, 0.175 mm/rev feed rate and 0.5 mm depth of cut. The results show the sample with composition ratio of Al2O3-ZrO2-Cr2O3 at 80-20-0.6 wt% demonstrated lowest Coefficient of Friction (COF) of 0.23 with hardness and relative density recorded at 71.3 Hrc and 95.81% respectively. Microstructure of Al2O3-ZrO2-Cr2O3 presenting significant grains compaction as compared to Al2O3-ZrO2 and single Al2O3 that showed significant appearance of porosity. In terms of tool wear, Al2O3-ZrO2-Cr2O3 performed 51% and 800% better tool life than Al2O3-ZrO2 and Al2O3 cutting tools.