Research on CBN/TiC composites Part1: Effects of the cBN content and sintering process on the hardness and transverse rupture strength

Cubic boron nitride/ titanium carbide (cBN/TiC) composites were fabricated by a two-step sintering process. The effects of cBN/TiC ratio and sintering process on the microstructure, densification and mechanical properties of the cBN/TiC composites were studied. The results showed that the composite with a cBN/TiC ratio of 2:1 prepared by the two-step sintering exhibited the highest hardness. In addition, the two-step sintering could improve the hardness by inhibiting grain growth and could promote the transverse rupture strength by suppressing by-products formation.