Nanostructure of a cubic BN cutting tool material

Advanced microscopy techniques, laser assisted atom probe tomography and electron energy loss spectroscopy in transmission electron microscopy are used to investigate in detail the microstructure of a polycrystalline cubic boron nitride tool material. During sintering at high pressure superhard cubic boron nitride combines with hard ceramic Ti(C,N) to form a dense material. Diffusion in Ti(C,N) and reactions between Ti(C,N), cBN and additives result in the formation of several nitride, oxide and boride phases in a complex mixed microcrystalline and nano- crystalline microstructure