Selection of diamond coated silicon nitrides for use as ceramic end mills when machining glass and carbon fiber reinforced plastics

The machining of advanced materials is challenging the tooling technology. To cope this, new cutting materials and geometries are developed. In this case, four types of silicon nitride based ceramics are investigated after coating with CVD-diamond for the use as ceramic end mills. To assess the wear resistance, model wear tests and damage evaluation were carried out and evaluated. After subsequent summary of the results, ceramic and cemented carbide substrate were selected for milling of glass and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP/CFRP) The determined force distribution and wear properties of the tools are presented and discussed. The diamond coated substrates are qualified by their wear profile and the measured constant cutting forces for use in the machining of GFRP/CFRP. Finally, the crack formation progress for diamond coated silicon nitrides when machining glass and carbon fiber reinforced plastics was demonstrated.