Effects of B2O3, TiO2, and ZnO on the Performance of Fe-Based Diamond Cutting-Tool Matrix

To improve the service performance of diamond cutting tools under dry working conditions, three oxides (B₂O₃, TiO₂, and ZnO) were innovatively used to prepare oxide self-lubricating diamond cutting-tool matrix. Rockwell hardness, three-point bending strength, and relative density tests were conducted to determine the effects of oxides on the mechanical properties of diamond cutting-tool matrix from the macroscale, whereas SEM, EDS, roughness test, physical, and molecular-dynamic-simulated dry-wear tests were used synthetically to explore the effects of oxides on the wear behavior of diamond cutting-tool matrix. Test results indicated that proper oxide addition improved the tribological properties of diamond cutting-tool matrix but decreased its mechanical properties to some degree. Furthermore, oxides more easily slid during the dry-wear process by changing its molecular-group morphologies. Consequently, self-lubricating films were generated and the wear resistance of the diamond cutting-tool matrix increased with the decrease in fatigue wear and fractured abrasive wear.