摘要 |
The ceramic cutting tool material according to the present invention comprises a beta silicon nitride matrix with total amount of 0.5-10 weight %, preferably 0.5-6 weight %, of an intergranular phase and 0.05-3 weight % of at least one secondary crystalline phase of a transition metal carbide, nitride, carbonitride and/or silicide present as spherical particles with a size of 0.1-2 mu m, preferably submicron (0.01-1 mu m). The transition metal is preferably niobium and/or tantalum. The material has less than 1 volume %, preferably less than 0.3 volume %, porosity. The beta silicon nitride grains are to at least 10%, preferably more than 20%, elongated with an aspect ratio greater than 3, preferably greater than 5. The grain diameter of the beta silicon nitride grains is in the range of 0.2-10 mu m, preferably 0.2-5 mu m, and most preferably 0.2-3 mu m.
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