Abstract
The idea is to develop hBN/TiCN/SiAlON-based ceramic composites for cutting tool applications by introducing a novel concept of functionally graded (FG) materials with self-lubricants at the top layer for dry-cutting applications. The composites are computationally designed and then developed using an energy-efficient SPS process. The solid lubricant (hBN) at the outer layers will not only avoid the negative effects of cutting fluids but also enhances the fracture toughness of the entire cutting insert. The addition of hBN to reduces the overall thermal expansion coefficient while TiCN imposes compressive residual stresses at the outer layer of the insert.A shift to sustainable machining techniques is required to eliminate the negative effects of cutting fluids. The goal is to eliminate the use of cutting fluid and to discover an alternative solution for dry machining of hard-to-cut alloys using solid lubricants at the surface of the FG SiAlON-based cutting tools.