Sialons、氮化硅、氮化硅复合材料和涂层氮化硅是商业上成功的基于Si（sub3）N（sub4）的高速切削刀具材料。将这些刀具材料的材料特性与其他刀具材料的材料特性进行比较，以基本了解基于Si（sub3）N（sub4）的切削刀具提供的益处。灰铸铁的高速加工可以通过sialon和氮化硅刀具完成，而涂层氮化硅刀具在球墨铸铁加工中很有用。镍基高温合金的高速车削和铣削是通过“高z”sialon刀具经济地完成的。

Sialons, silicon nitride, silicon nitride composites and coated silicon nitrides are commercially successful composition Si(sub3)N(sub4) based cutting tool materials for high speed machining. Material properties of these tool materials are compared to those of other tool materials to gain a basic understanding of the benefits provided by the Si(sub3)N(sub4) based cutting tools. High speed machining of gray cast iron can be accomplished by sialon and silicon nitride tools, whereas the coated silicon nitride tools are useful in ductile cast iron machining. High speed turning and milling of Ni base superalloys is economically done with 'high z' sialon tools.