Processing ferrous metal matrix composites

The alloying and processing of tool steels has evolved to create materials with maximized wear resistance and toughness. This project will investigate the processing and properties of a metal matrix composite material with a steel matrix and dispersed particles of cubic boron nitride (cBN). The objective is to produce a fine distribution of cBN particles in a steel matrix and assess improvements in wear resistance and toughness. The scope of work will include:

• thermodynamic and kinetic calculations of the behavior of B and N in steel
• powder mixing and sintering
• microstructural characterization
• property characterization (primarily hardness, but possible wear tests could be conceived)

The optimum outcomes of this project are production of a steel-cBN MMC with an even dispersion of particles and high hardness, along with a fundamental understanding of the behavior of BN in steel during melting and annealing processes.