APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INCREASING WEAR LIFE OF CERAMIC TOOLS

摘要

PCT No. PCT/US83/02028 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 22, 1983 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 22, 1983 PCT Filed Dec. 22, 1983 PCT Pub. No. WO85/02798 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 4, 1985.An apparatus and method are disclosed for reducing the oxygen concentration at the interface between a cutting tool and a relatively rotating metal workpiece. The apparatus comprises (a) a supporting means for holding the cutting tool in a predetermined position relative to the workpiece, and (b) means effective to direct a plurality of discrete flows of inert gas between the cutting tool and workpiece in a manner to substantially reduce the oxygen concentration in the zone to a predetermined level. The method comprises (a) directing a first stream of inert gas closely adjacent the interface, and (b) directing a second stream of inert gas to at least partially surround the first stream.