National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology （AIST） Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute

Research Objectives

The use of difficult-to-cut materials such as Inconel 718 alloy and super-stainless steel has been increasing in the fields of aircrafts and thermal power turbines. When cutting these difficult-to-cut materials, the cutting tool edges rise to nearly 1000 degree C. Thus we have to develop new cutting tools with excellent high-temperature hardness and chemical stability. We are developing new tool materials suitable for cutting difficult-to-cut materials efficiently by strengthening ultra-hard particles with a high-melting-point metal binder to enhance high-temperature hardness and chemical stability compared to conventional tool materials. We are also developing new sliding materials suitable for forging molds and bearings used at temperatures around 1000 degree C.