Synthesis and cutting performance of Al2O3@Ni-reinforced Ti(C,N) cermet by spark plasma sintering

To improve the mechanical characteristics and machinability of Ti(C,N) cermet and broaden its application range, Al2O3@Ni core-shell powders with varying Ni concentrations were generated using the heterogeneous precipitation-thermal reduction method, and Al2O3@Ni core-shell powders-reinforced Ti(C,N) cermet was created using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The mechanical, microstructural, and sintering characteristics of Ti(C,N) cermet were examined using core-shell powders with varying Ni contents. Al2O3@Ni core-shell powders with appropriate Ni content may uniformly distribute Ni with magnetic solid characteristics in cermet materials, resulting in rapid and uniform discharge that increases interface bonding, improves sintering, and greatly improves overall mechanical qualities. After adding core-shell powders, the cutting force of the TA@30N cermet tool is reduced compared to the TA30N cermet tool, but the surface quality of the machined workpiece improves. The effective cutting distance of the TA@30N cermet tool on heat-treated 45# steel is 36,000 m, 33.33% greater than that of the homogeneous TA30N cermet tool.