Experimental Investigation on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of cBN–Ti3SiC2 Composites

In this study, a recently developed superhard and high-performance composite of cubic boron nitride-titanium silicon carbide (cBN-Ti3SiC2) is fabricated at high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) condition. The mechanical properties of this superhard material are investigated using the comparisons of the bending, compression hardening, and Vicker hardness test. Its microstructural properties are characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The influence of the binder Ti3SiC2 is determined by changing the mass ratio. The composites with common binders, namely, TiC and SiC2, are sintered under the same HPHT condition to investigate the characteristics of cBN-Ti3SiC2 composites.