| abstract |
This cubic boron nitride sintered compact is provided with at least 20% by volume and less than 80% by volume of cubic boron nitride particles and more than 20% by volume and no more than 80% by volume of a binder phase. The binder phase includes: a compound comprising at least one element chosen from the group consisting of group 4 elements, group 5 elements and group 6 elements in the periodic table and aluminum, and at least one element chosen from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon, boron, and oxygen; and at least one chosen from the group consisting of solids derived from said compound. If the carbon content from the cubic boron nitride particles to the binder phase is measured in a direction perpendicular to an interface between the cubic boron nitride particles and the binder phase using TEM-EDX, a first region exists where the carbon content is greater than the average value for the carbon content of the binder phase, the interface is within the first region, and the length of the first region is 0.1–10 nm. |