Progress in Cutting Technology for Advanced Ceramic Material Using Thermal Controlled Fracture Method: A Review

Introduction: The thermally controlled fracture method has emerged as a green, frontier, cutting-edge method for processing advanced ceramic materials in key fields such as aviation and aerospace. Compared to conventional processing methods such as laser melting, this process achieves excellent performance, including no material removal, no heat-affected zone, and no force impact. It is necessary to review the development history of this technology and the latest worldwide research results, so that researchers can clarify the research framework and the frontier issues of this cutting-edge technology. Methods: This review summarizes the development achievements and directions of the thermal cracking method, focusing on processing problems arising from different heat sources and their solutions. For the two main heat-source forms that induce thermal stress and lead to thermal cracking, the advantages and characteristics of volume and surface heat sources in addressing overall fracture in different materials are summarized. The processing capability and fracture quality problems encountered by surface heat sources are summarized, and their cutting principles are explained. Results: This paper focuses on analyzing the mechanisms and effects of thermal cracking machining improvement technologies, including thermal source configuration, cooling strategy, and trajectory correction, to enhance machining capability, correct crack propagation trajectories, and improve fracture surface quality. Discussion: This paper analyzes the processing mechanism and machining challenges associated with thermal cracking, with a focus on the type of heat source. It offers researchers in this field a clear framework for understanding the current state-of-the-art and identifying viable directions for process optimization in thermal cracking technology. Conclusion: The development direction and application prospects of the thermal-controlled fracture method are discussed. This paper provides a comprehensive summary of cutting problems and principles under the two types of heat sources, providing ideas and direction for future technological improvements in this field.