Friction Comparison and Wear Analysis of Ceramic Cutting Tools Made from Alumina-Zirconia- Chromia Content

Abstract

This research focused on wear analysis by using the coefficient of friction (COF) and high-speed CNC turning machine against ceramic cutting tools made from 80 wt.% Al₂O₃ - 20 wt.% ZrO₂ mixed with 0.2 - 0.8 wt.% Cr₂O₃. The results showed that the sample with a composition ratio of 80 wt.% Al₂O₃ – 20 wt.% ZrO₂ – 0.6 wt.% Cr₂O₃ demonstrated the lowest coefficient of friction of 0.305. In terms of tool wear, this cutting tool showed uniform abrasion marks on the flank wear, resulting in 60% - 80% better tool life compared to Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃-ZrO₂. Based on the observation by using SEM, analyses showed that grains were tightly bound to each other at a high cutting speed of 350 m/min and with a feed rate of 0.175 mm/rev, compared to Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃- ZrO₂ which showed visible chipping and notch. The addition of 0.6 wt.% Cr₂O₃ on Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ composition was enough to increase the strength and reliability against ceramic cutting tools for machining purposes.