Abstract: A cBN material and a method of making a cBN material, the method including the steps of providing a powder mixture comprising cBN grains, aluminum and a Ti(CxNyOz)a powder, subjecting the powder mixture to a milling to form a powder blend, subjecting the powder blend to a forming operation to form a green body, subjecting the green body to a pre-sintering step, at a temperature between 650 to 950° C., to form a pre-sintered body, and subjecting the pre-sintered body to a HPHT operation to form the cBN material. For the Ti(CxNyOz)a powder, 0.05?z?0.4. In addition, a cBN material includes cBN grains, an Al2O3 phase, a binder phase of TiC, TiN and/or TiCN, W and Co, whereby a quotient Q is <0.25 of the cBN material.

Abstract: Multi-step milling processes to prepare cBN composite powder forms a first powder mixture by adding a binder and a first cBN component, mills the first powder mixture for a first time period, combines a second cBN component with the milled first powder mixture to form a second powder mixture, and mills the second powder mixture for a second time period (less than the first time period) to form the cBN composite powder. A ratio of the D50 value of the second cBN component to the D50 value of the first cBN component is at least 3.0. Two-step milling with different milling times for the two cBN component fractions controls the amount of mill debris in the cBN composite powder mixture. Further processing of the cBN composite powder under HPHT conditions forms a cBN-based ceramic with an average value of a cBN particle free diameter of less than 2.0 microns.

Abstract: Multi-step milling processes to prepare cBN composite powder forms a first powder mixture by adding a binder and a first cBN component, mills the first powder mixture for a first time period, combines a second cBN component with the milled first powder mixture to form a second powder mixture, and mills the second powder mixture for a second time period (less than the first time period) to form the cBN composite powder. A ratio of the D50 value of the second cBN component to the D50 value of the first cBN component is at least 3.0. Two-step milling with different milling times for the two cBN component fractions controls the amount of mill debris in the cBN composite powder mixture. Further processing of the cBN composite powder under HPHT conditions forms a cBN-based ceramic with an average value of a cBN particle free diameter of less than 2.0 microns.

Abstract: A method of making a near-net superhard material body includes preparing granules from a mixture of superhard powder, binders, and fluids, compacting the granules to form a soft green complex-shaped body, heating the soft green body in a furnace to form a hard green body free from residual binders, embedding one or more of the hard green bodies in a containment powder or a containment means and forming a pressure cell, sintering the cell at high pressure and high temperature, and removing the containment powder from the cell or removing the inserts from the containment means to reveal one or more near-net bodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cermet body essentially free from nitrogen where the binder phase is Co in an amount of from about 5 to about 25 vol % Co, further comprising TiC and WC in amounts so that the atomic Ti:W ratio is from about 2.5 to about 10. The cermet body further comprising Cr in an amount such that the atomic Cr:Co ratio is from about 0.025 to about 0.14. The cermet body is free from nucleated of Ti—W—C cores. The invention also relates to a method of making a cermet body.

Abstract: A cBN material and a method of making a cBN material, the method including the steps of providing a powder mixture comprising cBN grains, aluminum and a Ti(CxNyOz)a powder, subjecting the powder mixture to a milling to form a powder blend, subjecting the powder blend to a forming operation to form a green body, subjecting the green body to a pre-sintering step, at a temperature between 650 to 950° C., to form a pre-sintered body, and subjecting the pre-sintered body to a HPHT operation to form the cBN material. For the Ti(CxNyOz)a powder, 0.05?z?0.4. In addition, a cBN material includes cBN grains, an Al2O3 phase, a binder phase of TiC, TiN and/or TiCN, W and Co, whereby a quotient Q is <0.25 of the cBN material.

Abstract: A TiC-based cermet body includes TiC and WC so that the atomic ratio Ti/W is between 2 to 5, and cobalt as the binder phase is present in an amount of between 5 to 25 vol %. Further, the cermet body has at least one element from group V of the periodic table, Mx, so that the atomic ratio Ti/Mx is between 4 to 20 and the atomic ratio W/Mx is between 1 to 6. The cermet body also has Cr in an amount such that the atomic Cr/Co ratio is from 0.025 to 0.14. The cermet body includes both undissolved TiC cores with a rim of (Ti,W,Mx)C alloy as well as (Ti,W,Mx)C grains which have been formed during sintering. A method of making a cermet body is also disclosed.

Abstract: An insert for a cutting tool and a method of making an insert are provided. The insert for a cutting tool may comprise a body and a substrate carrier. The body may have a top, a bottom, and a plurality of side walls connected to the top and the bottom. The body may comprise superhard particles in absence of a support. The substrate carrier may have a recess. The bottom and the sidewall of the body may be adapted to be affixed to the recess of the substrate carrier.

Abstract: A method and composition of a sintered superhard compact is provided. The sintered superhard compact body may comprise superhard particles and a binder phase. The binder phase may bond the superhard particles together. The binder phase comprises tungsten and cobalt. The ratio of tungsten to cobalt is between 1 and 2 and sum of W and Co in the sintered superhard compact is in a range of from about 2 to about 20 percent by weight.

Abstract: A method of making a near-net superhard material body includes preparing granules from a mixture of superhard powder, binders, and fluids, compacting the granules to form a soft green complex-shaped body, heating the soft green body in a furnace to form a hard green body free from residual binders, embedding one or more of the hard green bodies in a containment powder or a containment means and forming a pressure cell, sintering the cell at high pressure and high temperature, and removing the containment powder from the cell or removing the inserts from the containment means to reveal one or more near-net bodies.

Abstract: A TiC-based cermet body includes TiC and WC so that the atomic ratio Ti/W is between 2 to 5, and cobalt as the binder phase is present in an amount of between 5 to 25 vol %. Further, the cermet body has at least one element from group V of the periodic table, Mx, so that the atomic ratio Ti/Mx is between 4 to 20 and the atomic ratio W/Mx is between 1 to 6. The cermet body also has Cr in an amount such that the atomic Cr/Co ratio is from 0.025 to 0.14. The cermet body includes both undissolved TiC cores with a rim of (Ti,W,Mx)C alloy as well as (Ti,W,Mx)C grains which have been formed during sintering. A method of making a cermet body is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cermet body essentially free from nitrogen where the binder phase is Co in an amount of from about 5 to about 25 vol % Co, further comprising TiC and WC in amounts so that the atomic Ti:W ratio is from about 2.5 to about 10. The cermet body further comprising Cr in an amount such that the atomic Cr:Co ratio is from about 0.025 to about 0.14. The cermet body is free from nucleated of Ti—W—C cores. The invention also relates to a method of making a cermet body.

Abstract: Method of producing a sintered body comprising the steps of mixing one or more powders forming hard constituents with powders forming a binder phase comprising cobalt powder where the cobalt powder comprises cobalt having mainly a fcc-structure defined as the peak height ratio between the Co-fcc(200)/Co-hcp(101) being greater than or equal to about 3/2, as measured between the baseline and maximum peak height, measured by XRD with a 2?/? focusing geometry and Cu-K? radiation. The present invention also relates to a ready-to-press powder comprising cobalt having mainly a fcc-structure and where the cobalt powder has a grain size (FSSS) of from about 0.2 to about 2.9 ?m. The present invention also relates to sintered bodies made according to the method. The sintered bodied according to the present invention have reduced porosity and less crack formation.

Abstract: A titanium based carbonitride alloy contains Ti, Nb, W, C, N and Co. The alloy also contains, in addition to Ti, Co with only impurity levels of Ni and Fe, 4-7 at % Nb, 3-8 at % W and has a C/(C+N) ratio of 0.50-0.75. The Co content is 9-<12 at % for general finishing applications and 12-16% for semifinishing applications. The amount of undissolved Ti(C,N) cores must be kept between 26 and 37 vol % of the hard constituents, the balance being one or more complex carbonitrides containing Ti, Nb and W. The invented alloy is particularly useful for semifinishing of steel and cast iron.

Abstract: A titanium based carbonitride alloy containing Ti, Nb, W, C, N and Co. The alloy also contains, in addition to Ti, 9-14 at % Co with only impurity levels of Ni and Fe, 1-<3 at % Nb, 3-8 at % W and has a C/(C+N) ratio of 0.50-0.75. The amount of undissolved Ti(C,N) cores should be kept between 26 and 37 vol % of the hard constituents, the balance being one or more complex carbonitrides containing Ti, Nb and W. The alloy is particularly useful for milling of steel.

Abstract: Method of producing a sintered body comprising the steps of mixing one or more powders forming hard constituents with powders forming a binder phase comprising cobalt powder where the cobalt powder comprises cobalt having mainly a fcc-structure defined as the peak height ratio between the Co-fcc(200)/Co-hcp(101) being greater than or equal to about 3/2, as measured between the baseline and maximum peak height, measured by XRD with a 2?/? focusing geometry and Cu-K? radiation. The present invention also relates to a ready-to-press powder comprising cobalt having mainly a fcc-structure and where the cobalt powder has a grain size (FSSS) of from about 0.2 to about 2.9 ?m. The present invention also relates to sintered bodies made according to the method. The sintered bodied according to the present invention have reduced porosity and less crack formation.

Abstract: A titanium based carbonitride alloy containing Ti, Nb, W, C, N and Co. The alloy also contains, in addition to Ti, 9-14 at % Co with only impurity levels of Ni and Fe, 1-<3 at % Nb, 3-8 at % W and has a C/(C+N) ratio of 0.50-0.75. The amount of undissolved Ti(C,N) cores should be kept between 26 and 37 vol % of the hard constituents, the balance being one or more complex carbonitrides containing Ti, Nb and W. The alloy is particularly useful for milling of steel.

Abstract: A titanium based carbonitride alloy containing Ti, Nb, W, C, N and Co. The alloy also contains, in addition to Ti, 9-14 at % Co with only impurity levels of Ni and Fe, 1-<3 at % Nb, 3-8 at % W and has a C/(C+N) ratio of 0.50-0.75. The amount of undissolved Ti(C,N) cores should be kept between 26 and 37 vol % of the hard constituents, the balance being one or more complex carbonitrides containing Ti, Nb and W. The alloy is particularly useful for milling of steel.

Abstract: A titanium based carbonitride alloy contains Ti, Nb, W, C, N and Co. The alloy also contains, in addition to Ti, Co with only impurity levels of Ni and Fe, 4-7 at % Nb, 3-8 at % W and has a C/(C+N) ratio of 0.50-0.75. The Co content is 9-<12 at % for general finishing applications and 12-16% for semifinishing applications. The amount of undissolved Ti(C,N) cores must be kept between 26 and 37 vol % of the hard constituents, the balance being one or more complex carbonitrides containing Ti, Nb and W. The invented alloy is particularly useful for semifinishing of steel and cast iron.

Abstract: A titanium based carbonitride alloy contains Ti, Nb, W, C, N and Co. The alloy also contains, in addition to Ti, Co with only impurity levels of Ni and Fe, 4–7 at % Nb, 3–8 at % W and has a C/(C+N) ratio of 0.50–0.75. The Co content is 9–<12 at % for general finishing applications and 12–16% for semifinishing applications. The amount of undissolved Ti(C,N) cores must be kept between 26 and 37 vol % of the hard constituents, the balance being one or more complex carbonitrides containing Ti, Nb and W. The invented alloy is particularly useful for semifinishing of steel and cast iron.