Optimized Hot Pressing of High-Speed Steel-Bronze Composites for Diamond-Reinforced Tool Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Metallurgy
• Composite Materials

Background:

• ASP60 high-speed steel is crucial for cutting tools.
• Diamond-reinforced composites require optimized matrices for enhanced performance.
• CuSn20 bronze alloy offers potential for improved densification and lubrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize hot-pressing parameters for ASP60-CuSn20 composites.
• To evaluate the effect of CuSn20 addition on material properties.
• To assess the performance of reinforced composites in tool applications.

Main Methods:

• Powder characterization using XRD, XRF, DSC, SEM, and laser diffraction.
• Hot-pressing experiments with varying CuSn20 concentrations and temperatures (950-1050 °C).
• Evaluation of porosity, mechanical properties (bending strength), and tribological performance.

Main Results:

• CuSn20 addition reduced porosity via partial melting and improved densification.
• Optimal parameters: 1050 °C and 9.8 wt.% CuSn20, yielding 3.7% porosity and 374.51 MPa bending strength.
• Optimized composites with diamond reinforcement showed excellent wear resistance and low friction.

Conclusions:

• CuSn20 enhances densification, mechanical, and tribological properties of ASP60 composites.
• The optimized composites are suitable for aggressive wire sawing and stone-cutting tools.
• ASP60-based composites with CuSn20 demonstrate high potential for demanding industrial applications.