Development of alumina and Ce-TTZ ceramic-ceramic composite (ZTA) cutting tool

Zirconia toughened aluminas (ZTAs) with their enhanced transverse rupture strength and fracture toughness are more widely applicable and more productive than plain alumina ceramics and cermets in metal cutting applications. The development of Ce-transformation toughened zirconia (TTZ) based alumina ceramic-ceramic composite (ZTA) for machining applications has resulted in a cutting tool which can be used in a finishing operation even at relatively low cutting speeds, which is usually the range for carbide cutting tools. © 1995.