ALUMINA-ZIRCONIA-CARBIDE WHISKER REINFORCED CUTTING TOOLS

摘要

A metal cutting insert is provided with an alumina based ceramic composition composed of (in volume percent, v/o): about 1.5 to 12.5 silicon carbide whiskers and about 7.5 to 17.5 v/o zirconia. The silicon carbide whiskers and zirconia are substantially homogeneously distributed in an alumina base matrix. Preferably, at least about 7 v/o of the alumina based ceramic composition is tetragonal zirconia.