Sound velocities, elasticity and thermal properties of cBN composite with AlN binder at high pressure

Cubic boron nitride (cBN) has been used as a tool material for several decades due to its high hardness and thermal stability. Various binders are commonly added to cBN to synthesise cBN composites for better cutting performance. However, most studies have only investigated properties such as hardness and bulk modulus, without comprehensively studying elastic properties through experiments. In this study, the sound velocities and elastic properties of cBN with AlN binder were determined by using the ultrasonic interferometry technique. The bulk and shear moduli with their pressure dependence were determined as B0 = 351(3) GPa, G0 = 344(3) GPa, = 4.32(4) and = 1.74(2) using the finite strain equation-of-state approaches. Elasticity-related thermal properties, such as Debye temperature, Grüneisen parameter, thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion were also estimated. The results show that the elastic properties of the cBN composite with vol. 8.8% AlN-binder are comparable to the pure cBN compact. Additionally, the thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion have little effect on cBN composite with AlN binder compared to pure cBN.