Sintered body comprising particles coated by atomic layer deposition

摘要

Sintered bodies for cutting tools comprise a plurality of hard particles with at least some having a coating formed by atomic layer deposition disposed thereon and a binder phase. The hard particles have a size less than 500 microns and may be tungsten carbide, tantalum carbide, titanium carbide, diamond or boron nitride. The coating is 1-10 nanometres thick and formed from a metal (e.g. at least one of Fe, Ni or Co), alloy and/or ceramic. The binder phase can be formed from the coating or added as a separate ingredient. When the hard phase particles have an average size less than 100 microns the coating preferably comprises 1-5 volume % of each coated hard particle.