Abstract
This study is performed to develop the Si$_3$N$_4$ based ceramic inserts. Si$_3$N$_4$with addition of SiC and A1$_2$O$_3$ is investigated to determine the possibility to be a new tool. The tool life of Si$_3$N$_4$ insert with more than 20wt% SiC is shorter than commercial Si$_3$N$_4$ insert during machining both heat treated SCM440 and gray cast iron. Even though SiC has higher hardness than Si$_3$N$_4$, its chemical affinity to the iron on high temperature may causes deteriorat ion of tool life. To the contrary, Si$_3$N$_4$insert with A1$_2$O$_3$ shows increase of tool life up to 300% compared to the commercial Si$_3$N$_4$insert. It may attribute to the high temperature stability of A1$_2$O$_3$. Further study will be focused on the optimization of ceramic inserts with the composition of Si$_3$N$_4$and A1$_2$O$_3$.
