Enhanced Performance in Si3N4 Ceramics Cutting Tool Materials by Tailoring of Phase Composition and Hot-Pressing Temperature
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
1. Fig. 1. Cannot see the difference between the two photos, that is, between the two types of powders.
2. Line 124. I can see the combination between SEM and XRD.
3. Fig. 2. Which sample do these XRD patterns belong to?
4. Fig. 3. The sample to which the properties shown in Fig. 3 refer, is not indicated.
5. Fig. 5b. Indicate Kalpha Ti in EDX spectrum.
6. Fig. 5. Correct double marks.
7. Fig. 6. I cannot see intergranular and transgranular fractures. Obtain images at more magnification and indicate the intergranular and transgranular characters. It would be recommended to add element distribution maps.
8. Fig. 7. What temperatures?
9. Fig. 7. Which sample do these XRD patterns belong to?
10. Line 236. Fig. 8 is Fig. 7.
11. Line 238. Table 2 is Table 3.
12. Fig. 8. The sample to which the roperties shown in Fig. 8, is not indicated.
13. Fig. 9. Which sample do these images belong to?
14- Fig. 9. It is not possible to see the difference between the surface morphology of the material at the three hot-pressing temperatures.
15. Fig. 9. It is necessary to add element distribution maps, to know where are the different powder components.
16. Fig. 10. Which sample do these curves belong to?
17. Fig. 10. It is necessary to explain this figure.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
This paper presents the well-documented proof of concept and successful improvement of ceramic cutting tool material controlling the additional amount of TiC0.7N0.3 and the hot-pressing sintering temperature. The distribution phenomenon and the self-toughening principle of β-Si3N4 were discussed as well.
Such a topic is fascinating in the application because, despite the huge progress in this field, a great disparity remains from material fabrication to practical applications due to the high inherent brittleness of ceramic as well as from relatively low fracture toughness.
Review of Literature:
The author cited a properly composed review of the literature, and a lot of appropriate references were used in the introduction section. These statements contributed generously to the overall understanding of the subject and the reasoning for establishing the problem. What's more, the bimodal particle size distribution phenomenon and self-toughening principle of β-Si3N4 were introduced and discussed.
Methodology:
The general methodology and description are well prepared. The action plan is clearly defined and well thought out except for the unpredictable time to iteratively improve individual modeling and measurement methods. The investigation methods and techniques used to gather the data for this article have been adequately selected, justified, and finally clearly discussed and concluded. However, the mechanical measurement techniques were explained, but the reliability coefficients of all possible tests were not given, and no discussion of the statistical methods was presented in this particular section.
Findings and conclusions
The findings were well organized, sectioned, and reported objectively. The charts were well presented, but the difficulty of the statistical tests employed would not be stand-alone to the average reader.
A solid point of the article is the high feasibility of using the reported issues’ results. The presented concept of applying the better material resulting from the conducted experiment is feasible and valuable for industry because the cutting and machining of such materials are becoming increasingly important.
Language:
The English is not perfect; I have not found many mistakes in language that need corrections – for example:
Line 23:
With the development of modern manufacturing technology, the use of various new difficult-to-machine materials is increasing
“is increasing” The noun phrase effective solution seems to be in plural form.
Line 29:
for processing these engineering materials tool
It appears that you have an unnecessary plural “these” connection to singular “tool”. Consider replace it with “this”.
Line 31 and 35:
“high toughness” and “high temperature” are more usually used as “high-toughness” and “high-temperature”
And so on…….
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The authors prepared the article named “Enhanced performance in Si3N4 ceramics cutting tool materials by tailoring of phase composition and Hot-Pressing temperature” which is looking good however needs further improvements.
Please indicate the novelty in abstract.
What is the success rate of this study? Show in the abstract.
Does the main title reflect the focus? Please discuss.
I believe that the novel approaches on tool design and materials which improve the performances should be indicated in the introduction. Some of them are listed.
“Research on using an unconventional tool for increasing tool life by selective exchange of worn cutting edge”
“Theoretical and experimental research of edge inclination angle effect on minimum uncut chip thickness in oblique cutting of C45 steel”
“Performance evaluation of AlTiN coated carbide tools during machining of ceramic reinforced Cu-based hybrid composites under cryogenic, pure-minimum quantity”
The introduction should be developed with tool life improvement methods and their impact on the total outcomes.
Where is the experimental setup figures?
Please add discussion section.
I would like to see a result section supported with literature papers.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
The paper can be accepted after modifications.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
